On 21 April 2019, almost 200 food packages were distributed to displaced persons and families living in Kiev. Representatives of David Hathaway’s Ministry in Ukraine, working with Philadelphia Church, invited them to this special Easter celebration. The Ministry has actively been supporting needy individuals since the start of the armed conflict with Russia, April 2014.

Following the start of conflict and the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the Government of Ukraine reports some 1.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDP).

According to the UN Refugee Agency, Ukraine is the ninth largest country in the world in terms of the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP). IDP have fled their homes to find safety. They have not crossed the international border but remained within their home country. IDPs legally remain under the protection of their government. They keep all of their rights and protection under international human rights law.

There have been more than twenty ceasefires to this ongoing conflict, each has failed. The most successful attempt to halt the fighting was in 2016, when a ceasefire held for six consecutive weeks. The latest ceasefire came into force on 29 December 2018 and failed the same day.

David Hathaway has been actively ministering in Ukraine since the early 1990s, supporting the spiritual development of the nation as it has evolved from a repressive communist country. Since 2016, the ministry has organised an annual Day of Prayer for Ukraine. This interdenominational service is supported by leaders and bishops from all the main church groups in Ukraine.