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March 29–As the conflict in Ukraine enters its second month, Niranjana Swami, GBC representative for Ukraine, addressed the Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON with a report on Ukraine, the devotees affected, and future planning. The following information is drawn from that report. For the purpose of this report, Niranjana Swami explained that due to the natural relationships with devotees currently sheltered in neighbouring regions, some facts on those areas, such as Crimea, would also b

The following reports have been sent to ISKCON News by the Share Your Care Team

March 27, 8 AM EST

1: Vraja Jivana Das and Yamuna Jivani Devi Dasi live in Oleshki in the Kherson region, which is presently blockaded and under Russian occupation. Currently, it is not possible to go in or out of the city and no humanitarian aid is allowed in. Due to this, stores ran out of provisions and have been empty for a couple of days now. The devotees are very grateful for the financial support that was gi

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine produced one of the world’s largest refugee crises in history. We are now one month into the conflict and more than 3.7 million Ukrainians have had to leave their home country.

There are now almost as many Ukrainian refugees as there were Afghan refugees fleeing the (first) Taliban regime in 2001, according to figures compiled by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They represent about 9.1% of Ukraine’s pre-invasion population of about 41.1 million – rank

We are deeply saddened to see the suffering faced by people who are victims of the escalating conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The Ukrainian people are in need of our sincere prayers. While we are staying warm and comfortable in our homes with our families, in Ukraine it is getting harder and harder for people to get hot food, shelter, medications, and in some places, even drinking water. Can we help? Yes! What we can do as a community is to gather and chant together, pray for peace

More and more devotees are fleeing Ukraine every day and taking shelter in safer neighboring countries, like Hungary. All the devotees have their own stories and experience – these two young ladies were ready to share theirs with the community of devotees all around the world. Listen to how Nikunja-devi Devi Dasi and Ekantarani Devi Dasi left Kyiv and how Krishna helped them find shelter.

Reporter: Gandharvika Prema Dasi, ISKCON Communications Hungary

Source: https://iskconnews.org/interview-w

By Caitanya Chandra Das

ACCOMMODATING REFUGEES in Hungary

As far as accommodation is concerned, to date, 90 Ukrainian devotees have come to Hungary, including 32 children. Some devotees were in transit and just stayed overnight, others are staying longer term to rest and weigh up their options.

Presently there are 60 Ukrainian devotees (18 children) in Hungary, some are housed with devotees, some in the Budapest temple and others in the New Vraja Dhama farm community. Five families (7 Vaishnavi

This article will be regularly updated to keep you informed on the ever-changing situation in Ukraine.

1: Mariupol Evactuation Notice

The following announcement has been sent to us from the European Crisis Team and reported by Sukanti Radha devi dasi. It was received on March 14th. We have no further information and are posting what we received.

“We have confirmation of de facto cease-fire in the direction of the humanitarian corridor for private transport along the route: Mariupol (towards the

UPDATE: March 2nd, 2022 7:30 AM EST

This Report has been confirmed by Anuttama Das through Ukrainian devotees who are involved. 

Vamsi Madhava das, who was shot on February 26th, is ok and is recovering fine. He was able to be taken to the hospital the next day and is recuperating now.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/breaking-news-ukrainian-devotee-shot/

The last few days have been intense in the Food for Life kitchen in Budapest, Hungary, a small country in the middle of Europe. The devotees now cook more than on an average peaceful day, when they usually take hundreds of plates of food to homeless shelters, in-need families, and the elderly all over the capital and other parts of Hungary. Now they doing more so that they can provide hot meals to those who fled from Ukraine.

The devotees started helping refugees on Sunday, Feb 27th, 2022, by f

Saturday, March 5 to Sunday, March 6 2022

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a worldwide religious community and confederation of over 500 temples and cultural centers, will conduct Chant for Peace events during the weekend of Saturday, March 5th, 2022 around the globe to pray for all people affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and surrounding areas. ISKCON devotees all over the world promote the uplifting process of chanting the Holy Names of God as well as th

By Anuttama Dasa

Correcting False Reports Re: ISKCON Ukraine Food Relief and Sheltering

Misinformation has been circulating on social media and other media outlets (not ISKCON News) that fifty-plus ISKCON temples and centers in Ukraine are providing food relief and shelter for the public.

ISKCON News has confirmed that this information is false. According to ISKCON authorities on the ground in Ukraine, there is only one prasadam distribution program operating at this time. It is located in the

Devotees have started to provide food for those displaced by the conflict

ISKCON Hungary is actively participating in helping those displaced by the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. In addition to keeping up the everyday distribution of food, the Hare Krishna Food For Life program is always ready to help feed the masses who arrive from disaster areas.

To organize the catering operation, devotees have contacted the relevant government agencies and other charities and have already started the food dis

This Report has been verified by ISKCON News through a personal secretary of Jayapataka Swami who has been in touch with the devotees involved.

Update: February 26th, 2022 2pm EST

This evening, Vamshi Madhava Das, a disciple of Jayapataka Swami was shot in the hand and chest. His wife is taking care of him.

It was reported that their village, Kherson, was under attack. As of the time of this report they are unable to travel to any local hospital.

ISKCON News will be verifying and updating these

February 26, 2022

Sri Mayapura Dhama 11:30 AM EST

Dear devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I’m receiving communications from devotees all overexpressing their concerns about our devotees in Ukraine. My gratitude knows no bounds, just for your well-wishing thoughts for the Ukraine devotees’ well-being. If you will keep them in your thoughts, I’m sure there will be no limit as to the kind of support it will give them just by knowing that you are thinking

By Anuttama Dasa

Special Report: Devotees in Ukraine Continue On Despite Fears, Instability

February 25, 2022  3 PM EST

Members of the Governing Body Commission (GBC) were given a report by leaders aware of the Ukrainian situation earlier today. What follows are selected highlights of that report, with additional information provided by other devotees familiar with the current circumstances.

Thousands of devotees of Lord Krishna live in Ukraine, and they worship at approximately twenty ISKCON c