Since the war began in Ukraine in March 2022, several SOS Children’s Villages refugee-hosting countries have been working tirelessly to provide accommodation and services to Ukrainians who have fled the conflict.
As of the end of September 2022, nearly 10,000 refugees have been supported through emergency and ongoing programmes across Europe. This work focuses on meeting essential needs, such as food and shelter, supporting refugees to access local services and schooling, and meeting the long-term psychological support needs of all of those impacted by the war.
Bulgaria
SOS Children’s Villages Bulgaria has provided Ukrainian families with safe and secure accommodation, in fully equipped houses that allow them to have their own personal space, as well as common spaces for children to play and connect with one another.
Families have also been supported to obtain residency status, get access to healthcare and schools, and to find work. Additionally, recreation activities, excursions and workshops have been organised for children, helping them to adapt to their new and unknown environment.
Czech Republic
SOS Czech Republic continues to provide accommodation with the necessary equipment to Ukrainian foster families, whilst working towards the integration of Ukrainian refugee foster families and children into the Czech education, social and economic environment.
They currently run intensive Czech language courses in all program locations for Ukrainian children, ensuring that their education is impacted as little as possible due to the language barrier, and to ensure harmonious integration and prevent the isolation of Ukrainian refugees. These language skills will also help prepare Ukrainian children for when they leave school and go into the workplace.
Greece
SOS Children’s Villages Greece focuses on supporting single-mother-headed families as well as individual refugees residing in local communities. This support includes interim accommodation, language classes, legal aid assistance, mental health and psychological support, and cash assistance, helping to address the most pressing needs of Ukrainian refugees.
Children have received education support through language classes, as well as recreational and stress-relief activities to help their social inclusion through various community-based projects with the involvement of the existing Ukrainian community in Greece.
Italy
SOS Children’s Villages Italy works to provide residential Alternative Care solutions for children and families. Ukrainian families with children, and Ukrainian unaccompanied minors, are being hosted in SOS Italy’s Children’s Villages in Vicenza, Trento, and Ostuni. This offers them a safe and supportive place to live during a very vulnerable and uncertain time.
Summer camp activities for Ukrainian youth and their caregivers were organised earlier this Summer in Caldonazzo, with over 300 Ukrainians hosted over a two-month period. During their stay, participants benefited from contact with nature in a serene and protected environment, taking part in emotional resilience workshops, education and recreational activities, sports, and creative activities to relieve stress.
Latvia
SOS Children’s Villages Latvia began activity when the war began in March, providing safe shelter for several groups of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Latvia, and providing cash assistance payments directly to families to support their basic needs.
SOS Latvia continues to provide a need-based ‘pool’ of services to refugees depending on the kind of support that they individually require. Through a network of organisations and local government, SOS Latvia provides informative and psychological support to children and adults across the country. This support helps them to understand their locality, how to apply for social support and benefits, to find work and to organise support groups and activities for children.
Additionally, SOS Latvia is supporting 25 programme participants through its existing network of specialists who support mothers and children aged 0-3.
Lithuania
SOS Children’s Villages Lithuania has offered accommodation in its Children’s Village in Vilnius, alongside rented flats nearby, to support Ukrainian refugees with safe and secure housing. Through its support programme, SOS Lithuania provides families with food, medicine and mental health and psychological support wherever needed.
Alongside its emergency response, SOS Lithuania provides individual case management support, helping families access essential social and financial services including schooling, employment, and healthcare.
Finally, day activities for children and youngsters support the psycho-emotional recovery of children impacted by the war. Through these supportive interventions, SOS Lithuania has already seen that children are feeling more comfortable, self-confident, and happier.
Romania
Ukrainian refugees are being accommodated across SOS Children’s Villages in Romania, as well as through alternative housing. Services include covering all urgent and basic needs through cash and voucher assistance and supporting access to medical and social services.
Children are being supported to access appropriate schooling or child-care facilities, along with mental health and psychological support, with many preferring to continue online courses with Ukrainian teachers to finish their school year. To this end, all programme participants have access to tablets, laptops, and internet facilities.
Moldova
Ukrainian refugees in Moldova are currently being supported by SOS Children’s Villages Romania, through its partnership with Caritas Moldova, who run refugee transit and accommodation centres.
Through the partnership, Caritas Moldova helps vulnerable Ukrainians to meet their essential needs during their initial displacement, providing them with hygiene supplies, transport, safe and protected shelter, food, psychological support, and child-friendly spaces.
