Nearly 100 days of war in Ukraine have wrought devastating consequences for children at a scale and speed not seen since World War II, UNICEF said today. Three million children inside Ukraine and over 2.2 million children in refugee-hosting countries are now in need of humanitarian assistance. Almost two out of every three children have been displaced by fighting.
Based on reports verified by OHCHR, on average more than two children are killed and more than four injured each day in Ukraine – mostly in attacks using explosive weapons in populated areas. Civilian infrastructure on which children depend continues to be damaged or destroyed; this so far includes at least 256 health facilities and one in six UNICEF-supported ‘Safe Schools’ in the country’s east. Hundreds of other schools across the country have also been damaged. Conditions for children in eastern and southern Ukraine where fighting has intensified are increasingly desperate.
UNICEF is also warning that the war has caused an acute child protection crisis. Children fleeing violence are at significant risk of family separation, violence, abuse, sexual exploitation, and trafficking. Most have been exposed to deeply traumatic events. These children urgently need safety, stability, child protection services, and psychosocial support – especially those who are unaccompanied or have been separated from their families. More than anything, they need peace.
At the same time, the war and mass displacement are devastating livelihoods and economic opportunities, leaving many families without sufficient income to meet basic needs and unable to provide adequate support for their children.
UNICEF continues to call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and to protect all children from harm. This includes ending the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and attacks on civilian infrastructure. UNICEF is appealing for full humanitarian access to safely and quickly reach children in need wherever they may be.
In Moldova, over 52,000 refugees, mostly in female-headed households, have been reached through a UNICEF-UNHCR multi-purpose cash assistance program. Maha Damaj, UNICEF Country Representative to Moldova, said the children and parents who get to Moldova are traumatized owing to what they saw and urgently need safety and stability. “Over 9,000 children and carers visited the first aid Blue Dots centers in Moldova, which are one-stop safe havens for children where parents can receive the necessary advice and support. At the centers, we can identify unaccompanied children, while mothers can breastfeed their babies,” stated Maha Damaj, being quoted in a press release.
Maha Damaj said that the war in Ukraine created a child protection crisis, while the children on the move are exposed to a very big risk. “UNICEF Moldova stages anti-trafficking courses at national level for the border police. The children from Ukraine survived 100 days of terror and we should further protect them”.
Furthermore, UNICEF Moldova monthly offers cash assistance. Over 52,000 refugee families in Moldova received support from UNHCR.
UNICEF has issued a US $624.2M appeal for funds to support its humanitarian response inside Ukraine and a US $324.7M appeal for its response in refugee-hosting countries.
