Four years of war in Ukraine

Four years of a state of emergency for children and families

The large-scale attack on Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. Since then, children and their families have been living in a state of emergency. Many are exhausted, insecure and traumatized. SOS Children's Villages is doing everything it can to give them protection, stability and prospects despite the violence and destruction.

The results since the war began are staggering: around 6.9 million people have had to flee abroad, including many women and children. More than 3.7 million people are on the run within Ukraine. Over 14,000 civilians have been killed, including more than 700 children, and many more have been injured.

Increasing psychological stress

The psychological consequences of the war are serious, both for individual children and for society as a whole. What people in Ukraine are experiencing is a long-lasting crisis that threatens the future of an entire generation. According to a UN report, 40 percent of children show signs of anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

For four years, bombings, rocket attacks, flight and constant insecurity have characterized everyday life. Homes, schools and playgrounds have been destroyed. Children have had to flee in a hurry and have been separated from friends and relatives.

There is a lack of clean water in many regions. Families are freezing in icy temperatures. Attacks on the energy and heating supply have left many households without electricity, heating or hot water. Many spend the nights in shelters to protect themselves from attacks.

There is no end to the suffering in sight. Winter is coming to an end and temperatures are rising. But warmer weather alone will not alleviate the consequences of the destruction or the deep emotional wounds. Children in Ukraine are still in urgent need of support.

Our help on the ground

SOS Children's Villages supports children and families in Ukraine in many ways, for example with relief supplies, counselling and psychological and psychosocial support.

• Children find safe places to play and learn in over 120 child protection centres.

• More than 185,000 children and parents have received psychological care to date.

• Mobile teams reach families in remote or conflict-ridden regions.

• 965 children injured in the war and their families received medical, psychological and rehabilitative assistance.

• In various regions, our social centres provided over 166,000 displaced children and parents with relief supplies, counselling and psychosocial support.

SOS Children's Villages works closely with local partner organisations. In total, our teams have been able to support more than 600,000 people in Ukraine to date.

Aid remains urgently needed

The war continues, attacks and destruction continue. Almost 2 million children in Ukraine are in urgent need of humanitarian aid. In a time of uncertainty, fear and need, every support counts. We will remain at the side of the children and their families for as long as we are needed.