Franklin Graham: ‘We’re Not Leaving’ Ukraine

Despite warnings from the US government to leave Ukraine, members of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse aren’t going anywhere, Franklin Graham said on Facebook.

On Tuesday, the US Embassy issued a new security alert for Ukraine, urging US citizens to flee the war-torn country. Graham says his people won’t abandon the citizens of Ukraine out of duty to them and to God.

“The State Department is advising all US citizens to leave Ukraine now because there is a high likelihood of more attacks on civilian areas,” Graham said. “We’re not leaving. Samaritan’s Purse is staying to help as many people as we can. We have already been able to help over 4 million Ukrainians with food, medical care, water and other emergency needs.”

Graham says food continues to be the number one emergency need for people cut off from markets and food supplies.

“Our teams are buying food on the open market in Europe and bringing it into the country by truck—about 75 tractor-trailer loads per week,” Graham says. “Then, we break it down and distribute it in bags of about 15-20 pounds each through our network of churches and Christians all across the country. We have already purchased and distributed 49,603,950 pounds of food so far.

“All of this is possible because of the faithful people who have prayed and given to help in Jesus’ Name.”

With winter approaching, Graham says things are expected to go from “bad to worse” in Ukraine. During that time there will be a greater need for food, shelter and heat. Samaritan’s Purse is diligently looking into solutions for the problem.

“We are looking at small wood stoves we can give to people, and we are sending shelter material including heavy-duty plastic to cover windows that have been blown out and holes in roofs,” Graham says. “We are in the process of buying more of these materials now so we can get them into the country before cold weather hits.

“People need to stay fed and stay warm. As Christians we need to be praying for peace, that there will be an end to this deadly conflict soon so that people on both sides can live in peace.” {eoa}

Shawn A. Akers is the online editor for Charisma Media.