LWF

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of 148 member churches in 99 countries, representing over 77 million Christians. Rooted in Lutheran theology, LWF’s humanitarian and development arm, the Department for World Service, works to promote human dignity, justice, and peace. Its mandate includes emergency response, sustainable development, and advocacy for the most vulnerable, regardless of religion or ethnicity.

In Ukraine, LWF has been active since 2014, initially focusing on internally displaced persons (IDPs) and conflict-affected communities. Following the full-scale invasion in 2022, LWF scaled up operations significantly. Current programs include emergency shelter repairs, winterization support, cash assistance, protection services (including psychosocial support and child protection), and access to education. LWF works primarily in eastern and southern Ukraine, including Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv regions.

Since February 2022, LWF has reached over 500,000 people with life-saving assistance. Its integrated approach combines multi-purpose cash, shelter rehabilitation, and protection services, with a strong focus on the most vulnerable groups such as older people, persons with disabilities, and female-headed households. LWF also coordinates with local churches and civil society to ensure a community-based response.