SW News: A group of women trapped in the war-torn Ukrainian city of Mariupol has written a letter to Pope Francis seeking his help in facilitating the evacuation of civilians and the wounded as the Russian onslaught continues. Running into two pages, the letter was signed by “the mothers, wives and children of the defenders of Mariupol” and it was handed over to Cardinal Michael Czerny, interim prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, by Saken Aymurzaev, a reporter working for UATV Channel.
The women have implored the pope to facilitate the rescue of 1000 civilians, mostly women and children, who are trapped within the Azovstal steel factory, which has been besieged by the Russians. “At the beginning of the fighting, these people thought that living with the military would give them not only security, but also an opportunity to receive food, water and medical care," they said in the letter. But gradually, the fortress-like protection they experienced became a trap as the supply of food and water was cut off. The women concluded the letter, saying the pope’s help in arranging the evacuation will be a paternal act, the help of a good shepherd and a true act of mercy.
Meanwhile, efforts are being undertaken by the authorities to operate a humanitarian corridor linking Mariupol and Zaporizhzhia and bring 6,000 women, children and elderly people out of the city on April 20.  Incessant Russian bombardment has reduced Mariupol, which was once home to 400,000 people, into mounds of rubble. It is estimated that thousands have been killed in attacks and 100,000 are trapped there without food, water and other essential supplies.