On June 1st, the world celebrates International Children's Day. This holiday holds special significance in Ukraine, particularly considering the ongoing war. Many children and their parents have been forced to flee their hometowns and homes, while those living in the areas close to the front lines and occupied territories are constantly exposed to danger. Some children have lost their parents, while others have been forcibly displaced from Ukraine. Consequently, child protection has become one of the most pressing issues today.
According to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, 1,354 children have been injured to varying degrees of severity, and 550 children have been killed. More than 1.3 million little Ukrainians are internally displaced, and one in three IDP children experienced the occupation. In Ukraine, 40% of children aged 3 to 17 cannot attend school or kindergarten due to their closure. Children need our support and protection every day and every minute.
The "Unbroken Mothers″ project is a significant initiative to support pregnant Ukrainian women, new mothers, and women with children who have moved to Lviv because of the war. Created with the support of the Ukrainian Red Cross, it operates as a mother and child centre within the UNBROKEN ecosystem. It comprises two two-storey dormitory houses with a total area of 1300 m², 650 m² each. Pregnant women and internally displaced women with small children reside here. The centre was opened in July 2022. Currently, it is home to about 41 people, including 27 children.
We care for thousands of children every day. We provide shelter to those who have lost their homes and help evacuate those who are forced to leave them because of the occupation. We provide food, clothes, shoes and other essentials, even toys, to bring back the warmth of childhood. We conduct psychosocial activities – creative classes, active games and family events – to take care of the mental health of children who have experienced rocket attacks, tank fire, bomb blasts, occupation, evacuation, and even the loss of their families.
This day is an opportunity to remember that every child has the right to a safe and happy childhood. Our mission is to do everything we can to ensure that every child in Ukraine has a peaceful childhood, and we need your support. Children are our future.
To find out more about cooperation opportunities and projects that need your support, please contact us at partners@redcross.org.ua.
