The LWF, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, is a global communion of 149 churches in the Lutheran tradition, representing over 77 million Christians in 99 countries. World Service is the internationally recognized humanitarian and development arm of the LWF.

From LWF’s beginning in 1947, its member churches have mandated World Service as their crucial actor in international diakonia (service to others) to assist all those in need without discrimination of any kind. World Service is a widely recognized, international, faith-based organization in 27 countries today. We seek to unite people of all backgrounds in the quest for justice, peace, and reconciliation in an increasingly complex and fragmented world.

Within days of the invasion of Ukraine, the LWF Foundation in Poland launched its extraordinary campaign in Poland to support refugees fleeing Ukraine. In the first phase of helping refugees from Ukraine, the LWF started a cash support program, the so-called Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), which was distributed in six centers in Poland: in Gdansk, Ostroda, Zgierz, Wroclaw, Bytom, and Bielsko-Biala. The Foundation also carried out priority projects involving the provision of emergency aid (food and non-food items).

In the next phase of its activities in Poland, the LWF Foundation is currently focusing on supporting refugees from Ukraine in the field of mental and psychosocial health (MHPSS) and consulting in response to trauma and stress, and education support. Support is provided in the exact locations, i.e., Gdansk, Ostroda, Zgierz, Wroclaw, Bytom, and Bielsko-Biala. We believe that psychosocial support is essential for overcoming the trauma of war that Ukrainian refugees experienced while fleeing Ukraine. We want to help refugees adapt smoothly to new conditions and support them in rebuilding a relatively “normal” life. We offer activities to improve the mental state and maintain the mental health of refugees. We provide psychological support, child- and women-friendly spaces, and clubs for seniors. We provide Polish and English language lessons. We organize meetings and workshops for children, teenagers, adults, and seniors. We invite the Ukrainian and Polish communities for special meetings and events.

LWF is also present in Ukraine, where its support focuses on small and medium-sized reconstructions of damaged infrastructure, including civil and educational infrastructure.