The first group of Ukrainian foster families from SOS Children’s Village Brovary, Kyiv region and from Luhansk region arrived safely in Poland. They were met at the border by colleagues from SOS Children’s Villages Poland and Oleksandr Okrugin, ICT director of SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine.
The incredible staff at SOS Children’s Villages Poland took just hours, once the invasion started on 24-February, to ensure children and adults could enter Poland and organised accommodation for them. They remained on high alert until the situation in Ukraine meant moving the foster families was the safest option.
“The children were so tired that they had no strength to eat or drink,” says Aleksandra Granada, national director of SOS Children’s Villages Poland. “All they wanted was to go to sleep and rest. Fortunately, they are safe and sound. Currently we’re doing a more detailed assessment on their needs. They’re under doctors and psychologists’ care. The first group of foster families are accommodated in SOS Children’s Village Biłgoraj.”
The second group of 27 people (21 children, 4 foster parents and 2 staff) is expected to arrive on Tuesday morning.
According to the UN, more than half a million people have already fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries.
In Ukraine
The fighting in the east and south of Ukraine and in Kyiv region intensified with children among many reported casualties.
The children, families and staff of SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine who are in the country now are safe and unharmed. In certain areas of Kyiv and in Luhansk region, many of them had to stay in bomb shelters almost constantly.
Staff are continuing to provide psychological support to families remotely.
At present, it is not possible to relocate any of the foster families and staff who are still in SOS Children’s Village Brovary, Kyiv region and in Luhansk region due to movement restrictions and fighting.
SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine identified four local partner organisations in different regions of western Ukraine that they can work with. These organisations are active in supporting children in alternative care and internally displaced people, mostly on a voluntary basis.
“In Kyiv and Luhansk region we cannot go in the field because our staff are mainly staying in bomb shelters. In the west of Ukraine, the work with the four local partner organisations is to start at the earliest possible moment.”
The situation changes by the hour and we will continue to bring you updates as often as we can.
The children and families in Ukraine need your support urgently. Please donate to our emergency fund if you can. Thank you so much for your support.
