The Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) have donated an emergency aid package worth £60,000 to the Roman Catholic women's orders in the Lviv area of Ukraine, who are helping provide sanctuary to those in need.

Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine since the conflict began six weeks ago.

Churches and charities are at the forefront of the humanitarian aid effort, supporting those who have fled across the border, and those who are sheltering at safer locations in the country.

John Pontifex, from ACN told Premier about the situation. He said: "ACN have already given more than a million pounds in emergency aid and partial support for all those trying to escape the conflict.

"We are also really pleased to give this latest aid of £60,000 to help further.

 "We have had some heart wrenching stories from people who are in desperate need of supplies and food and have suffered awful trauma."

Sister Tobiasza of the Congregation of St Joseph told ACN that the community has opened the doors of their Lviv convent to care for those forced from their homes by the war - most of whom are
women and children.

She said: "There are people sleeping in every corner of the monastery, both in beds and on mattresses on the floor.

"They are very grateful for the opportunity to wash, eat hot meals and get some rest. Some spent several days in basements or in air-raid shelters."

In a letter to ACN she wrote: "In the name of all the religious sisters of the Archdiocese of Lviv, I express my great gratitude for the help you have provided us until now - and therefore we dare to ask for support once again, to be able to serve and help in this difficult time of war in Ukraine which God has seen fit to allow us to live through."