Children continue to live between fear and hope

Cities such as Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kiev, Odessa and Dnipro are particularly targeted by the attacks, but western regions close to the EU border are no longer safe either. For children and families, every night means switching between bed and improvised shelter; no night is restful.

Everyday life between sirens and school

Despite the constant danger, children and parents are trying to get on with their lives as normally as possible: They go to school, to work, to the hospital or ride buses, all under conditions that are unimaginable. For them, staying functional is a daily act of strength and the will to survive.

SOS Children's Villages Ukraine in action

The emergency aid program continues, so far without any serious security incidents. Buildings have been protected, air-raid shelters set up and employees equipped with protective gear. Mobile teams continue to accompany families during evacuations from particularly dangerous regions.

In the first half of 2025 alone, over 63,000 children and parents received psychosocial support. There is a particular focus on supporting foster families who provide children with a safe home in the most difficult of circumstances. The rehabilitation of injured children and support for minors repatriated from Russia are also among the tasks.

Challenges for employees

The teams on the ground do an incredible job every day. Supervision and team building are offered to strengthen them. Additional security measures are added in frontline areas. The need for psychological support remains high so that SOS Children's Villages employees can continue to be there for children and families. One employee reports: "Time is the most valuable thing there is. When you live in war, you don't have time to dwell on small things. Time is precious."