More Than Half of Ukraine’s Children Displaced by War

Since the start of the war in Ukraine one month ago, 4.3 million children have been forced out of their homes. That's over half the country's estimated 7.5 million total child population.

More than 3.8 million people — including 1.8 million children — have crossed the border into Poland, Romania, Moldova and other neighboring countries to escape the ongoing violence since Feb. 24, according to UNHCR.

The rest of Ukraine's children remain inside the country, trapped in a national nightmare.

The war has caused one of the fastest large-scale displacements of children since World War II. — UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell

"The war has caused one of the fastest large-scale displacements of children since World War II," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "This is a grim milestone that could have lasting consequences for generations to come. Children's safety, well-being and access to essential services are all under threat from nonstop horrific violence."

93 children have been killed and 120 injured since the war began

Heavily populated civilian areas are increasingly being targeted, with children's homes, hospitals, schools and orphanages coming under assault. The World Health Organization has confirmed 52 attacks impacting health care facilities across the country in the past four weeks, while Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science has reported damage to more than 500 education facilities. 

According to the United Nations human rights office, OHCHR, 93 children have been killed and 120 injured since the war began. These figures represent only those reports that the United Nations has been able to confirm: the actual toll is likely far higher.

UNICEF is rushing medical supplies to children's hospitals and maternity wards

UNICEF has 140 staff members on the ground in Ukraine, working around the clock from five regional offices on both sides of the contact line to provide urgent assistance to children and families in need. In close collaboration with the Government of Ukraine, UN agencies and key humanitarian partners, UNICEF is scaling up emergency operations, including the delivery of medical supplies and equipment to dozens of hospitals across the country, where pediatricians and obstetricians are caring for injured children and delivering babies in basement hallways.

Blue Dot refugee support centers provide one-stop access to vital information and services

To aid mothers and children who have fled the country in search of safety, UNICEF has set up a network of Blue Dot refugee support centers where they can access emergency services. 

Urgent assistance for families forced to leave everything behind

Strategically located along key transit routes, the Blue Dot support hubs provide health screenings, information on available accommodations and transportation, a safe place for children to play, registration for psychosocial support, counseling and protection services, and other vital forms of assistance.

Child-Friendly Spaces where kids can just be kids for a while

Staffed by social workers and psychologists and stocked with toys and games, the Blue Dot centers provide a sense of normalcy for children whose lives have been turned upside-down. “Mostly we do game therapy, but it will depend on the child, how ready he or she will be to play with us,” says psychologist Tatiana Andriesh, who works with children at a Blue Dot site in Palanca, Moldova.

“Somehow, the emotional state of the parents is passed on to the children. If a parent is hugging them very tightly, the child gets afraid. There are situations where the mothers are so emotionally affected that we have to work with the parents somehow, and after than we can give attention to the children.” 

The threat of child trafficking is real and growing

More than 500 unaccompanied children were identified crossing from Ukraine into Romania between Feb. 24 and March 17. "The war in Ukraine is leading to mass displacement and refugee flows — conditions that could lead to a significant spike in human trafficking and an acute child protection crisis," Afshan Khan, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, warned on March 19. "Displaced children are extremely vulnerable to being separated from their families, exploited and trafficked."

To protect the vulnerable, staff at Blue Dot centers are trained to identify unaccompanied and separated children and implement family tracing services so children can be reunited with their caregivers.

Displaced children are extremely vulnerable to being separated from their families, exploited and trafficked. — Afshan Khan, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia

UNICEF is urging the governments of neighboring countries and other countries of destination to strengthen child protection screenings at border crossings, especially those with Ukraine, to better identify at-risk children. 

"In just a few weeks, the war has wrought such devastation for Ukraine's children," said Russell. "Children urgently need peace and protection. They need their rights. UNICEF continues to appeal for an immediate ceasefire and for the protection of children from harm."

Help UNICEF scale up relief operations in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Your contribution can make a difference. Donate today.