Millions of Ukrainian children have been negatively impacted by the ongoing crisis. They have been forced to flee their homes, they have been injured, they have fallen ill, and tragically, they have died. More than 5.1 million children have been displaced within Ukraine or forced to relocate to other countries; 600 kids have died, and nearly 2,000 have been wounded.
For children aged three and younger, their entire lives have been filled with fear, violence, and uncertainty. They have never experienced “normal life."
With more than 1,600 schools and nearly 786 health facilities damaged or destroyed during the war, children’s access to education and healthcare has been severely affected. Many schools closed; at those that remain open, kids are forced to spend hours at a time sheltering in basements as air raid sirens sound above. Children have faced significant learning losses-- an average of two years in reading and one year in math. While some children have transitioned to online classes, the air raid sirens and energy infrastructure attacks have consistently disrupted their schooling. Many homes also lack reliable internet access.
The closure of schools has meant a significant loss of social interaction with peers and teachers, leading to mental health challenges and hindered social development. Feelings of sadness, anxiety, and loneliness are especially common among girls.
Older teens have missed out on training opportunities to acquire the skills required to enter the workforce, making it difficult to get jobs.
The staff and volunteers are JRNU work closely with families across Ukraine to provide essential aid to the children. In each city, caseworkers maintain detailed information regarding the needs of the children, including medical and mental health care such as psychological counseling, speech therapy, dental visits, rehabilitation services, and more. Academic tutors are arranged for children who are struggling in school, and mentoring relationships are established for older children. The general humanitarian support for families continues as well, providing food, clothing, heating vouchers, and assistance with home repairs. We continue to operate nurseries and schools, enrichment programs, and camps. We must do everything we can to help the younger generation who have already endured so much in their short lives; after all, they are the future. Together we save lives and restore hope.
