120'800 Christmas parcels for Eastern Europe

120,800 children, senior citizens, sick people, families and refugees in Eastern Europe were given a Christmas parcel from Switzerland at Christmas. 215 of these parcels came from "Höfe". Many thanks!

Since February 2022, the Russian invasion has shaken the world. It has aroused great solidarity in Switzerland. Numerous individuals, families, parishes, companies and associations are committed to helping those affected. As part of the Christmas parcel drive, 120,800 Christmas parcels were lovingly packed in the run-up to Christmas and taken to one of the 500 or so collection points. The contents of the Christmas parcels are predefined so that all recipients receive the same value: In addition to food, sweets and hygiene articles, children's parcels also contain school supplies and toys.

A noticeable relief

For people affected by poverty, the Christmas parcels are a practical help. And for many children, the parcel from Switzerland remains their only Christmas present. The war in Ukraine is driving up the prices of everyday items in Eastern Europe - pasta today costs more than twice as much as last year. The Christmas parcels are a ray of hope in this crisis.

Local partners of the Weihnachtspäckli campaign also brought gifts to war-affected people in eastern Ukraine and to refugees and needy people in the west of the country, such as Alla and her three children. They fled the Chuguev area in eastern Ukraine in the spring. They did so after spending a month sheltering in the basement of their house from Russian missiles. Today, the family lives in a moldy dormitory in Ternopil. They are rarely heated. But they are happy to have a roof over their heads at all. Alla hears from her mother, who stayed in the war zone, how dramatic everyday life is in eastern Ukraine. The little twin boys are very happy about the presents. They are excited and thrilled about the toys. The older daughter and Alla are also beaming as they hold their Christmas packages in their hands.

The 39 articulated lorries filled to the brim with Christmas parcels also head for destinations in Moldova, Romania, Belarus, Albania, Bulgaria and Kosovo. The local partners know the needy people and know whose sad daily lives they can brighten with a Christmas package. And they reap shining eyes from children and grateful looks from adults.

Many thanks to all who have contributed with a Christmas parcel or a contribution to the transport costs so that people in need can be helped in a practical way.

The campaign is carried out jointly by four Swiss aid organizations that have been committed to helping the disadvantaged in Eastern Europe for decades:

AVC – Aktion für verfolgte Christen, COM – Christliche Ostmission, HMK – Hilfe für Mensch und Kirche und LIO – Licht im Osten