On July 8th, 2024, missile strikes across the Ukraine killed over 40 and left dozens more injured. In Kyiv, four children and two adults died at the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital which was heavily damaged. Food-for-Life Ukraine was on the scene quickly, providing fresh water and nourishing prasadam to rescue workers and victims.

“As soon as we saw the news about the terrible attack on the children’s hospital, we contacted our team and came to the temple’s kitchen,” said Dayananda Ram Das, FFL-Ukraine coordinator. “While the prasadam was being prepared in the kitchen, part of the team reached the point of the rocket strike with tanks of fresh water.” 

Getting to the difficult-to-reach area was made easier because the FFL vehicle was able to follow an ambulance closely through the traffic. Once they arrived, FFL staff gave fresh water to rescue workers before establishing a place for prasadam distribution. “We also brought prasadam directly to the epicenter of the incident,” said Dayananda. It’s believed that medical personnel also collected prasadam to feed the victims who were transferred to the undamaged sections of the hospital. “Other volunteers in the city also rallied and brought a lot of food and other needed items. But it was important for us to feed rescue workers and victims prasadam.” 

FFL-Ukraine distributed up to three million portions of prasadam during the two years of the war. They continues to offer lifesaving support to thousands, often under life-threatening conditions. To learn more about their efforts and financially support them, please visit their website and follow their service on Instagram.