Support for Children in Ukraine

Children in conflict zones are among the most vulnerable populations, often facing severe psychological, social, and educational disruptions. Providing targeted support during emergencies is crucial for their well-being, helping them cope with trauma, maintain a sense of normalcy, and develop resilience. Caritas has focused on addressing the growing needs of children in Ukraine affected by the war, ensuring they have access to vital services such as psychosocial support, education, and safe spaces.

Here are some key achievements of Caritas’ support for children in Ukraine:

• Serving More Children: Given the increased humanitarian needs, Caritas also expanded its support for children in Ukraine. Since 2023 over 26,000 children have benefited from psychosocial assistance, learning spaces, and child-friendly activities provided by Caritas. Additionally, our colleagues supported 26 Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) and Children’s Centers where children can safely play, learn, and receive psychosocial support to help them cope with the impacts of the war. They also meet friends here in a safe surroundings and can just be kids again for a few hours.
• Psychosocial Support: Our psychosocial support programs, initially launched in Eastern Ukraine in 2016, have also expanded despite the war. These programs help build resilience among children and provide teachers with tools to create a safe environment for their students. Relocation to safer regions has further allowed us to continue serving schoolchildren in challenging situations.
• Child Protection & Family Support: Many children continue to be placed in alternative care due to the ongoing crisis. Families facing hardship receive material aid, social counseling, and pedagogical support, improving their living conditions and children's academic success.
• Expanding CFS Activities: Our CFS teams, consisting of coordinators, psychologists, and teachers, provide a range of activities aimed at fostering children’s creativity, social skills, and emotional well-being. Workshops and counseling sessions have also enhanced parenting skills.
• Reaching Vulnerable Communities: Starting in 2023 already, we launched eight dedicated learning spaces for vulnerable children, including displaced persons, to ensure they can continue their education. Psychologists and CFS teams also conducted outreach to remote communities, increasing access to essential services.
• Building Capacity: In October 2023, a Child Protection expert evaluated our CFS activities to ensure alignment with global standards. This evaluation will guide upcoming capacity-building efforts for local teams on Child Protection and psychosocial support.

Links:

• Info of Caritas Austria support for Ukraine (GER)

In these challenging times, quality education is essential for enhancing the lives of young Ukrainians and fostering their sustainable development. Caritas Austria, in collaboration with partners in Ukraine, continues to offer humanitarian aid and psychosocial support to these vulnerable children. This ensures they have access to education, healthcare, and protection as they work to rebuild their lives amidst the devastation of war. It is vital for helping Ukrainian children flourish and create better perspectives for the future for themselves and their communities in the long term.

A visit to Kharkiv

One of the regions we are supporting children is Kharkiv, in the North-East of Ukraine. Andrej and Rita from the Social Aid Service, a partner organization of Caritas Austria for over 30 years, give an insight to the current situation in Kharkiv: The humanitarian situation is becoming more and more difficult. Since December 2023, airstrikes have significantly increased. Due to the geographical location, people cannot be warned of the next attack by sirens or the Air Alert App as it only takes 40 seconds from launch for the airstrikes to cause suffering, destruction, and often casualties and injuries. There are now daily power outages of around six hours. Three of the city's large district heating plants have been destroyed.

Despite these difficult conditions and life-threatening situations, Andrej, Rita, and the Social Aid Service team in Kharkiv are performing superhuman feats. Thanks to donations like yours and public funds, they offer educational and psychosocial support to children and support families with cash assistance programs. Additionally, they distribute food and hygiene packages, provide mobile care for the elderly, and visit and care for terminally ill people at home with palliative care teams. Support for children remains at the center of their focus of assistance though.

Despite the difficulties, life in the city remains active and dynamic. Many children are curious and eager to learn. While most children study online, some attend underground schools a few times a week to socialize with their peers and keep a routine in their lives. Partners organize various extracurricular activities and clubs, including art, music, and sports, where children can shift their focus and bring a little peace of mind into the turbulent everyday life for these children for a few hours.

These classes create a safe space for kids to express themselves freely, both emotionally and through play and communication. They learn valuable skills, explore their creativity, gain new knowledge, and even get homework help. Through this supportive environment, children feel calmer and more supported, – the result of our mutual efforts.

Support for children throughout Ukraine

Caritas with its network partners continues to support children in other cities in Ukraine, Konotop, Drohobuch, Kyiv, Sumy, Charkiv, Zaporizhzhya, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Lviv and other cities and towns all over Ukraine.

Despite the war's challenges, Caritas is unwavering in its commitment to Ukraine's children. They play a vital role in ensuring the survival, well-being, and future of those impacted by the conflict. Caritas achieves this through various support programs in Ukraine, including:

• Providing emergency food and water to displaced families, preventing malnutrition and ensuring that children receive the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development.
• Establishing child-friendly spaces in shelters and camps, offering a safe and supportive environment where children can play, learn, and socialize.
• Offering psychosocial support to children traumatized by the war, helping them cope with their experiences and develop resilience.
• Organizing centers for mothers and their children, providing comprehensive social support for families.
• Setting up rehabilitation centers for children to aid in their recovery and well-being.
• Encouraging education and organizing various workshops, classes, and clubs to foster learning and personal development.
• Implementing psychosocial support and resilience programs in schools for youth, parents, and teachers.
• Ensuring access to quality education for children and youth affected by the conflict.
• Providing support for teachers through psychosocial assistance and trauma-informed teaching.

We deeply appreciate all contributions, as they hold significant value for us. Every bit of support matters greatly, especially considering the many individuals like us who are concerned and actively involved. Together, we have the power to achieve remarkable results and foster positive change in our communities.

Links:

• Info of Caritas Austria support for Ukraine (GER)