A Catholic charity has given more than €5 million, (£4.1 million) in aid to Ukraine. 

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has donated the money in installments, over the course of the 6-month war, which started in February.

Magda Kaczmarek, ACN's Ukraine project head said: "The churches have opened their doors to everyone and host now thousands of internally displaced people in all dioceses. 

"However, this represents a financial challenge - the lion's share of the money is the basic costs, such as electricity, water, heating and so on.

"During these five months we have been able to give plenty of help, and we will continue to do so. We need to provide our people with hope." 

ACN has provided €3.2 million (£2.67 million)  in emergency aid, including €650,000 (£542,714) for 14 projects supporting (IDPs) internally displaced persons, being housed in parishes, convents, seminaries and other church properties.

The charity has also provided €800,000 (£667,955) in Mass stipends which help priests cover vital costs so they can continue their pastoral work with those scarred by war. 

Bishop Pavlo Honcharuk of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kharkiv-Zaporizhzhia thanked ACN for all the help it is providing in Ukraine.

He said: "I would like, on behalf of all those who receive aid, as well as myself, to sincerely thank you all for your open hearts and your help. 

"It doesn't matter whether it was a lot or a little, what is important is that you have not remained indifferent to our situation. 

"I sincerely thank you - may God bless you."