In our last issue, we launched our Ukraine Children in Crisis Appeal. Thanks to the generosity of our amazing supporters, we raised an incredible £85,000 to help those in urgent need. Here is an update on the difference your donations have made.
What’s happening?
The scale of the humanitarian crisis affecting Ukraine’s children is vast. According to UNICEF, two million of the country’s 7.5 million children have crossed into neighbouring countries as refugees, and another 2.5 million are internally displaced. Although fleeing from home can bring safety from imminent dangers, a life on the move can lead to an increased risk of violence, abuse and exploitation. Without adequate support, children on the move can find their health, education and overall wellbeing compromised. Many children and families have been forced to flee suddenly, leaving their belongings behind. The UN has said that, while it is still not possible to ascertain how many children have been lost or separated from parents, siblings or other family members, the number of unaccompanied children is distressingly high.
Getting vital resources to the front line
The situation in Ukraine is complex and many organisations are working on the ground to provide aid. At Family for Every Child, we believe in the power of local, community-based organisations to make an impact, because organisations like these already work in the area and have a deep understanding of what children and families need. That’s why 100 per cent of the funds we raise for this appeal are transferred to Partnership for Every Child – an alliance of local organisations working in Ukraine and across neighbouring countries where children and families are arriving.
What’s being done?
In Ukraine, our partners are helping to find care for children each week. We have provided over 350 children with alternative care, such as fostering, and the funds mean these carers are receiving hygiene kits, food, clothing and medication, as necessary. We have provided temporary foster care for 71 children previously living in orphanages and other state care arrangements and have reunited some of these children with their biological families, where it has been safe to do so.
In neighbouring Bulgaria, we’re providing long-term support to 21 families and 33 children, around a third of whom have a disability. Part of our support is practical, such as ensuring families are registered with a GP, the local work office and education providers. On top of this, we’re providing psychological support to help children overcome trauma caused by the war, and play groups so they can experience art and music therapy while socialising with other children.
Watch a video update from Dilyana and Oksana at: familyforeverychild.org/ukrainemessage
| Thank you to everyone who has supported this appeal. If you’d like to make a donation, please visit familyforeverychild.org/ukraine. You can also follow us on social media for further updates about how this work is progressing. |
