Pastor Makar has been committed to helping the people in the region for many years and has led Caritas Kherson, one of the most important humanitarian organizations in southern Ukraine, since the beginning of the full-scale Russian war of aggression. Caritas Kherson supports the population with food, heating materials, psychosocial care and educational programs for children. Particular attention is paid to providing care for families in hard-to-reach villages and setting up support services for children. The Catholic Deanery in Bonn has contributed financially to the implementation of these projects.

"I was deeply moved by Father Ihor Makar's accounts. Despite all the hardship and danger, the people of Kherson stick together and help each other with great strength and compassion. This commitment not only deserves our respect, but also our active support - Bonn stands in solidarity and wholeheartedly by Kherson's side," said Mayor Katja Dörner.

During his visit, Pastor Makar signed the guest book of the City of Bonn. The conversation with the Mayor of Bonn focused on the solidarity partnership that has existed between Bonn and Kherson since February 2023. This is characterized by a variety of support measures such as vehicle donations and the "Bonn helps Kherson" project, which the city launched together with the organization "Help - Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe". It enjoys great support from the civilian population and is also characterized by personal encounters, such as the recent German-Ukrainian municipal partnership conference in Münster.

Pastor Makar's visit is an expression of the growing ties between Bonn and Kherson and a sign of European solidarity in action. The City of Bonn would like to thank Pastor Makar for his outstanding commitment and sees his involvement as an important impetus for the further expansion of the partnership.