#Ukrainecrisis: Children caught in the midst of devastation

Children and families in a local park in Kyiv, Ukraine, after a missile struck a residential building on February  25, 2022 (Photo by Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

 

On February 24th, children in Ukraine woke up to the sounds of explosions. The horrific blasts forced children and families to hide in basements, subway stations and bomb shelters. Parents tried their best to calm terrified children as the violence in the area escalated. The horror children experienced as explosives destroyed their homes, neighbourhoods, schools, and playgrounds is unimaginable.

No child should have to experience war. Yet, in Ukraine, more than 400,000 children are in grave danger. They are at risk of the direct impacts of the presence of soldiers and artillery, including being injured or killed by guns, landmines, and explosive weapons. Thousands have been forced to flee their homes – many on foot with little more than the clothes on their backs. An estimated 400,000 children have crossed into neighbouring countries already.

In addition to the violence, temperatures in Ukraine and border countries have dropped below freezing, and displaced children face long nights and days exposed to brutal conditions.

Sadly, children were caught in the crossfire of the violence. Many children have died and there is fear that more lives will be lost as the violence continues.

Save the Children response

Since 2014, Save the Children has been operating in Ukraine, delivering essential humanitarian aid to children and families. This includes access to education and psychosocial support, along with distributing winter and hygiene kits, and providing cash grants to meet basic needs such as food, rent, and medicines.

A family of five just crossed the border after waiting for fifteen hours. They were able to pick up some warm socks, food, water and toys for the children from Save the Children’s distribution station in northern Romania.  Currently the family is not sure where they are headed, all they want to do is rest and be safe.

 

The recent escalation of violence means our teams have responded wherever they can. Save the Children has scaled up operations including the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to children in Ukraine and in surrounding countries. We will continue to provide life-saving assistance such as food, water, cash transfers, and safe places for children as people flee the conflict amid freezing temperatures and brutal conditions.

We have been calling on the support and generosity of Canadians to help in our efforts. We’ve all seen the outpouring of support from Canadians—from rallies to social media posts to donations to organizations, including Save the Children Canada.

Ukrainian children and families cross the border into Romania to escape conflict. Save the Children provided humanitarian assistance for 350 children, out of which 60 were in the refugee centres.

We urge Canadians to continue their generous support of our work to reach children caught in this crisis. Canadians can donate to support children in Ukraine here