United for Relief: a Report on Aid for Flood Victims across Europe
A year has passed since the catastrophic floods swept through European countries, yet the scars remain. The disaster destroyed thousands of homes, left families without shelter, and claimed dozens of lives. The global Caritas family responded immediately, and Ukrainians also joined in providing support.
Allocation of Collected Funds
Thanks to the generosity of parishioners across all Roman Catholic dioceses in Ukraine, we were able to raise 2 305 007 UAH. The initiative, launched by the Conference of Bishops of Ukraine, distributed the funds as follows:
- Caritas Poland - €20,000
- Caritas Spainя - €11,000
- Caritas Bosnia and Herzegovina - €10,000
- Caritas Austria - €10,000
“On behalf of Caritas Poland, I would like to express our great appreciation for your organization’s support. It means a lot to Polish people that the Caritas organisation from abroad shows such a gesture of solidarity. During the volunteer work in the flooded areas, there were many examples of Ukrainians helping the flood victims, which is an important sign of our relationship” representative of Caritas Poland expresses their gratitude for help.
The Story of a Designer from Spain
Mila Carrasco, a resident of the city of Albal, had run an interior design business for over 30 years when the DANA storm destroyed everything. Her home and shop were swept away, and for the first time in her life, she had to turn to Caritas for help.
“It was terrible. We lost our home and all the memories we had gathered over so many years. It was the story of our lives,” Mila recalls with pain.
The water in her house rose to two and a half meters, and at one point she feared for her life. Yet, with the same determination that once helped her overcome cancer, Mila resolved to face this tragedy too. With the support of Caritas and volunteers, her family began rebuilding their home and business. “Every grain of sand became a mountain of hope,” she says.
The Story of a Builder from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Hamdo Sultic, a retired construction technician, had poured his soul into his family home. Just days before the devastating flood, he and his wife had completed the finishing touches on the house’s façade, dreaming of a peaceful old age together.
On the night of the disaster, Hamdo was at home alone. Torrential rain quickly surrounded the house with water. As the first floor began to flood, he sought refuge upstairs, hoping the storm would pass. But after several hours, he felt the structure shift — the house was slowly collapsing. Risking his life, he ran to a nearby forest, where he waited out the storm. Before his eyes, a massive wave of water completely destroyed the home he had built.
Hamdo moved in with his daughter in a nearby village. Later, he and his wife managed to purchase a half-ruined house in another settlement. Support came from many sides: the municipality and local organizations provided firewood, essential appliances, and building materials. The diocesan Caritas of Mostar visited Hamdo’s new home, assessed his needs, and provided funds for exterior doors and windows, additional firewood, furniture, and necessary farming equipment. Thanks to this support — along with his own skills and determination — Hamdo quickly repaired the house.
Now, he and his wife are ready to begin a new chapter of stability and peace. His story is a testament to resilience, community solidarity, and the power of support in times of crisis. These are just two among many stories of people whose lives were shattered by this natural disaster. Ukrainians, more than anyone, understand what it means to lose one’s home and start over. That is why we wish all those affected strength and a swift recovery.
«On behalf of our Archbishop, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić, President of the Bishops' Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Caritas Bosnia and Herzegovina, and our director, Msgr. Tomo Knežević, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Caritas Spes and all those who have shown such compassion during this challenging time. Your generous contribution of EUR 10,000 and the fundraising efforts within the Roman Catholic churches in support of those affected by the floods are a powerful testament to solidarity. Your support is truly praiseworthy, especially considering the difficult times your own communities are facing due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Please know that you and your people remain in our constant prayers», Caritas Bosnia and Herzegovina expresses their gratitude for help.
We are sincerely grateful to all Ukrainians whose contributions not only provided financial help but also proved that the world still has enough kindness and compassionate love to unite people from different corners of the globe in the common desire to support a neighbor in a time of need.
