Our work in the region
SOS Children’s Villages began working in Ukraine in 2003, and in 2010 opened the first SOS Children’s Village in Brovary, Kyiv region. SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine has actively led the Child Rights Network in Ukraine, made up of 27 child protection organisations, advocating for care reform.
Since the escalation of violence in February 2022, SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine has remained a key organisation in the country, committed to providing children with a family environment amid the ongoing emergency, extending its support to families facing various challenges, ensuring that children in diverse situations receive the necessary care.
Impact on children
Children, especially those without parental care, are among the most vulnerable in conflict zones like Ukraine. They face heightened risks of trauma, displacement, and exploitation.
Mental Health
The war has severely impacted the mental health of millions of children, leaving many with trauma, anxiety, and fear. Displacement and loss have created deep emotional scars. SOS Children’s Villages offers counseling and group support to help children heal and rebuild their lives.
Displacement
Millions of children have been displaced by violence, forcing them to flee their homes and communities. Many now face uncertainty, instability, and a lack of basic resources. SOS Children’s Villages provides safe shelter and essential support, both in Ukraine and across other European countries, helping displaced children and families find stability and protection during this crisis.
Urgent Humanitarian Needs
Children and families have been left without access to food, clean water, and medical care. SOS Children’s Villages has continuously delivered critical supplies and support, as well as cash assistance, to ensure the immediate survival and well-being of the most vulnerable
Protecting Childhood
The war has stripped millions of children of their basic rights to safety, education, and play. To help restore a sense of normalcy, SOS Children’s Villages has created Child Friendly Spaces across Ukraine. These safe environments allow children to learn, play, and receive emotional support, helping protect their childhood during the crisis.
Conflict continues to disrupt the lives of millions of children in Ukraine, leaving them vulnerable to trauma, displacement, and a loss of basic rights. We are committed to protecting these children, providing critical resources, emotional care, and safe spaces to ensure their safety, dignity, and future.
civilian casualties
have been recorded since February 2022, although the actual number is expected to be much higher.
children
are at risk of family seperation, gender-based violence and ongoing mental health and psychosocial support needs.
people
are in need of humanitarian support.
Our impact
As of June 2024, SOS Children’s Villages has directly supported 403,777 individuals through humanitarian support in Ukraine since April 2022.
From providing emergency shelter and psychological support to creating safe spaces, we’re helping vulnerable children and families rebuild their lives and find hope amidst the crisis.
Psychological Support
SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine offers personalised mental health support, group sessions, self-help groups, and specialised training for mental health professionals and community workers.
Our teams help children and young people cope with the immediate effects of the war while also providing long-term interventions for affected families. Psychological support camps help children process trauma, restore emotional well-being, and foster a sense of stability, teaching them how to both give and receive support.
In 2023, more than 44,500 people were supported by psychologists from mobile teams, 1,133 children took part in the psychological support camp, and 1,056 parents with children took part in the family camp.
Child Friendly Spaces
SOS Children’s Villages runs 73 ‘Child Friendly Spaces’ in Ukraine, offering essential support to children who have experienced trauma. These centres provide safe environments where children can exercise their basic rights to play and learn, helping restore a sense of normalcy in a time of crisis. They also serve as vital community hubs, strengthening local capacity to deliver social services. In 2023, 61,000 children and young people were able to enjoy safety and comfort through a ‘Child Friendly Space’.
Children with injuries
SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine plays a vital role in supporting children injured by the war. So far, nearly 600 children and their families have received assistance, including educational services, medical and psychological rehabilitation, prosthetic support, speech therapy, legal aid, and financial assistance, helping them rebuild their lives and recover from the impact of the conflict.
Refugee Care and Support
Since the war began, SOS Children’s Villages in neighboring countries have been essential in supporting Ukrainian refugees. Over 8,660 refugees have found shelter, care, and assistance in countries like Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, Romania, and more. Refugees face challenges such as housing, employment, and education access. SOS Children’s Villages helps address these needs while providing urgent psychological support to help families cope and recover.
Essential Needs
Children and families in conflict zones often lack access to basic necessities like food, shelter, medical care, and WASH supplies. In 2023, SOS Children’s Villages supported over 87,000 people with food assistance, provided essential medicines and medical consultations to more than 7,000 individuals, and helped over 88,000 meet their needs for clothing, hygiene products, and household goods.
Foster Family Care
In 2023, SOS Children’s Villages provided foster family care to 144 children and young people across 23 foster families. This included educational services, speech therapy, psychological support, financial aid, and more. For children who have lost parental care, this support is a crucial lifeline, ensuring they grow up away from exploitation, with the love, stability, and care needed to heal and thrive despite the trauma of war.
Share this page
Latest News
Read the latest news, updates and stories from the conflict in Ukraine.
Donate to our Emergencies Fund
Your donation to our Emergencies Fund can provide life-saving support to children and families like those affected by the Ukraine war. Help us deliver urgent aid, shelter, and care to those in need. Donate now to make a difference.
