Supporting refugees on Ukrainian borders

As the war in Ukraine continues unabated, IsraAID's mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) initiatives provide ongoing support to communities navigating profound loss, displacement, stress, and trauma. This has been especially critical in recent weeks, following devastating attacks on civilian infrastructure. On April 17, 2025, a large-scale missile and drone strike killed eight people, including two children, and injured more than 80 people across eight regions. Thanks to our long-term investment in local capacity, IsraAID-trained psychologists were already embedded in hospitals across the country and ready to offer immediate support to patients, families, and doctors.

Two railway workers were also injured on April 17. IsraAID’s MHPSS and first-aid training for Ukrainian Railway staff helped the team respond quickly and stay emotionally grounded under pressure. We deliver regular sessions to help essential workers cope with daily risks, sharing practical guidance on topics like CPR and trauma-informed care, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Railway Workers Union.

Similarly, schoolteachers were already learning about stress management, self-regulation, and shelter-based activities through our proactive approach to strengthening the education sector with integrated MHPSS. They leveraged this knowledge to support students and colleagues in real-time during the attacks.

As continued attacks forced communities to spend more tough nights in shelters, IsraAID’s Quokka Hubs provided much-needed creative and emotional outlets for dozens of children. For example, after three consecutive nights of missile alerts in May, we led a shelter-painting activity as soon as it was safe to be outside. This helped children express themselves at the same time as creating a sense of ownership and making the shelters more comfortable.

With no end to the war in sight, it remains critical that IsraAID keeps integrating MHPSS into existing systems. For example, not only did we launch a fourth Doctor, Psychologist, Patient cycle last month – with 30 more clinical psychologists starting advanced training to deliver practical psychosocial care in hospitals – but we are also working to scale up this initiative with national-level advocacy. The training began just days before the April 17 attack, underscoring the urgent need for this work.

IsraAID has supported Ukrainian communities facing the catastrophic effects of full-scale war since February 2022. Through our continued presence and long-term programming, we will continue partnering with them to respond to each new emergency while building the emotional resilience and local leadership needed to withstand the ongoing realities of war. As one team member put it, “After every attack, we face another emergency – all within an ongoing war. Our job is to provide support that is relevant, responsive, and rooted in care.”

To most, the Quokka is simply a small, cheerful-looking marsupial from Australia. At IsraAID Ukraine, however, this creature has taken on a deeper meaning—becoming a symbol of joyand resiliencefor countless displaced Ukrainian children. 

The Quokka became the beloved mascot of IsraAID's Child-Friendly Spaces (CFSs) through a creative voting process. Children of all ages painted their handprints on their favorite mascot design, and the Quokka emerged as the clear winner. This moment of child-led decision-making gave participants a sense of agency in shaping their environment, fostering a deeper connection to the spaces designed for their well-being. From this, the name "Quokka Hubs" was born, signifying a new identity for the existing CFSs while maintaining their original purpose of providing safe, nurturing environments. 

IsraAID's child protection and mental health teams have integrated the cheerful critter into various resources, such as coloring pages, mood thermometers, labyrinths, stickers, and more. With its constant smile, the Quokka has become a powerful tool in helping children identify and process their emotions and strengthen their emotional resilience.  

Since the outbreak of war, IsraAID’s network of Quokka Hubs has been rapidly expanding to meet the growing needs of children and families.This past fall,our team added five new mobile hubs that act as shelters to protect from rocket shrapnel, drone strikes, and blast waves. In 2024 alone, these mobile shelters havesupportedmore than 500 children, while the stationary Quokka Hub provided safe spaces for more than 400 children. Quokka Hubs also help parents and caregivers by offering mental health workshops to combat burnout.When parents are able to tend to their own needs, they are not only better equipped to care for themselves but also better able to support and nurture their children.By addressing the needs of children and adults, Quokka Hubs create a ripple effect of resilience that extends throughout communities.    

A*, a facilitator at IsraAID’s Quokka Hub in Murakhivka, captured the initiative's significance perfectly: "This collaboration revived our village. After the frightful days of war, after so much loss and destruction, our children were adrift, almost running wild. But now they come together. We light the stoves to make the space warm and cozy for the kids. The games, exercises, and activities are so engaging that the children never want to leave."  

Quokka Hubs are more than just Child-Friendly Spaces; they are lifelines of hope for whole communities affected by war. These hubs empower families to find strength and stability amid uncertainty by fostering joy, connection, growth, and healing. Thanks to the commitment of our partners, donors, and team, Quokka Hubs will continue to light the way for countless Ukrainian children and families