Four years after the start of full-scale war, the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine has become protracted, and its consequences are increasingly affecting children. According to estimates by international organisations, 12.7 million people are in need of assistance. Millions of them are children who have spent almost their entire conscious lives amid air raid sirens, displacement and infrastructure destruction.
Ilya is nine years old. His family left the Kharkiv region after their house was destroyed by shelling. The boy constantly returns to memories of his escape, has trouble sleeping, and expresses his fears in his drawings. During psychosocial support sessions, he and his mother were able to talk not only about their fears, but also about their loss for the first time. Twelve-year-old Natalia talks about her father, who serves on the front lines and is rarely at home. The support centre has become a place where she can communicate with her peers and receive psychological help.
flash-update-The crisis affecting development
Since February 2022, the war has transformed from an acute phase into a protracted crisis of protection and well-being, especially for children. Repeated displacement, loss of loved ones, interrupted access to services and constant danger have affected the mental health and development of the younger generation.
More than 2,800 schools have been damaged or destroyed. More than 4.7 million children have difficulty accessing education. For many, this is already the fourth school year that has been interrupted, with remote learning or mixed formats. Educational instability increases the risks of knowledge loss, isolation and premature termination of education.
Teachers and parents report increased anxiety, sleep disorders and concentration problems. In frontline areas, damaged infrastructure and limited access to safe spaces are additional factors. The consequences of war for children are not only immediate but also long-term.
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The scale of humanitarian support
WeWorld, ChildFund Deutschland and Educo have prepared an update describing the scope of assistance and the adaptation of programmes to the conditions of protracted war Flash Update . Over four years, thousands of families have received vouchers and cash assistance in frontline regions and communities hosting internally displaced persons. Psychosocial support and emergency assistance have been provided in the Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions, in particular to families affected by the explosion at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant.
Children’s spaces and mobile teams are operating in areas affected by hostilities. Thousands of children are involved in activities aimed at restoring emotional stability, educational support and socialisation. Children’s camps have been organised in safer regions, combining recreation with psychosocial support programmes.
A separate area of focus is on supporting education. Thousands of children are covered by catch-up and distance learning programmes. Teachers are being trained to work with students who have experienced trauma. At the same time, residential buildings, medical facilities, water supply and sanitation facilities are being restored, creating a safer environment for learning and living.
Transition to a long-term model
The approach of humanitarian organisations has shifted from emergency response to systematic multisectoral support for children and their families. The model combines stationary safe spaces with mobile teams, the integration of psychosocial support into educational programmes, and cooperation with the national child care system.
The priority remains the development of safe, inclusive spaces, the expansion of mobile services, support for highly vulnerable families, and the restoration of housing. A significant portion of the planned activities has already been funded, while some require additional resources. The organisations also plan to install alternative energy sources for schools and support centres, which will ensure the educational process and access to basic services during power outages.
Four years of war have created a new reality for Ukrainian children. Support is focused not only on overcoming the acute consequences, but also on preserving the development, education and psychological resilience of a generation growing up in a state of prolonged conflict.
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