The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, on 19 September, issued an appeal to the World Council of Churches (WCC), Pope Leo XIV, the World Evangelical Alliance, and other religious leaders to raise their voices and use every available means to save several thousand residents of the occupied Oleshky in the Kherson Region of Ukraine, from death by starvation.
“The city of Oleshky, located in the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russian forces, is under a humanitarian blockade and is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe,” reads the appeal. “The last food supplies were delivered to the area at the end of May 2026.”
Residents are starving, while Russian forces are preventing them from leaving the city.
“These are civilians who face the daily threat of shelling and drone attacks and are deprived of food, drinking water, medicines, and other essential assistance,” reads the appeal “The city’s critical infrastructure has been virtually destroyed, and electricity and gas supplies are unavailable.”
The Siege Begins
In 2023, the city was flooded when Russian forces blew up the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant.
“The Ukrainian side has been continuously informing various international organizations about the critical situation in Oleshky and calling for appropriate assistance to be provided to the people in order to prevent mass loss of life,” reads the appeal. “The Ukrainian authorities and international organizations are seeking to reach an agreement on the evacuation of the city’s residents; however, the Russian side is exploiting the humanitarian catastrophe for propaganda purposes, spreading blatant manipulation and falsehoods.”
Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, thanked the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations for its urgent call to respond to a humanitarian catastrophe happening in the Ukraine war before our eyes.
“Reports by Ukraine officials, human rights organizations, and international media confirm that since the end of May 2026 no food supplies were delivered to the area anymore.”
The city has long been without electricity or gas, and water must be laboriously drawn from wells, noted Bedford-Strohm. “Remaining residents are starving, while Russian occupation authorities are denying access to humanitarian missions and blocking the safe evacuation of the civilian population,” he said. “There is no justification whatsoever for such action.”
The WCC urgently appeals to end this blockade, said Bedford-Strohm. “All residents of Oleshky, especially the children and the elderly, must have access to the necessities of daily life,” he said. “Oleshky stands for many more daily victims of this war. We pray for the end of the violence and for a change of heart of those who are responsible for it.”
How Can You Help?
Your support of the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund apportionment allows our ecumenical partners around the world to speak out against atrocities such as war and poverty for those who don’t have a voice. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
World Council of Churches website
This story shows the impact of the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund—one of seven apportionment funds of The United Methodist Church—to foster unity and shared witness among Christians worldwide. Through this fund, the Church participates in ecumenical partnerships, interfaith dialogues, and collaborative ministries that extend the reach of the Gospel. Together, we model Christ’s prayer that all may be one.
When your church supports the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund, you help The United Methodist Church build bridges of faith and partnership across the global Church.
