100 days since the escalation of the military conflict in Ukraine began

100 days have passed since the escalation of the military conflict in Ukraine began. This time has had a devastating impact on children not seen since the Second World War. At least 262 children have been killed and 415 injured since February 24 (the exact number of children killed and injured is not known). Currently, about 3 million children in Ukraine and more than 2.2 million children in countries hosting refugees are in need of humanitarian assistance. Almost two out of three Ukrainian children had to leave their homes because of the combat operations.

Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, on which children depend, has been damaged. As of today, at least 256 healthcare facilities and each sixth "safe school" supported by UNICEF in the east of the country have been affected. Hundreds of other schools were also damaged.

UNICEF together with its partners continue to work in Ukraine and neighboring countries, including Belarus, to provide children and their families with humanitarian assistance, child protection, water and sanitation, health, nutrition and education services.

In Ukraine, UNICEF together with its partners:

• delivered life-saving medical supplies to nearly 2.1 million people in war-torn areas;
• ensured access to safe water for more than 2.1 million people in areas where networks were damaged or destroyed;
• provided psychological and psychosocial support to more than 610,000 children, their parents and guardians;
• provided school supplies for nearly 290,000 children.
   

In countries hosting refugees, UNICEF supports national and local systems that provide essential services and protection. This includes training for border guards on anti-trafficking issues; expanding learning opportunities and integrating refugee children into schools; purchase of vaccines and medicines; as well as the creation of play and learning centers that give young children an important sense of a normal life.

Twenty-five UNICEF-UNHCR Blue Dots – universal shelters that provide support and free services to families that have left Ukraine – have been established along major refugee routes in Moldova, Romania, Poland, Italy, Bulgaria and Slovakia.

Help for children and families from Ukraine in Belarus

From February 24 to June 1, 2022, about 30 thousand Ukrainian citizens arrived in Belarus (according to the State Border Committee).

The UNICEF Office in Belarus continues to support people affected by the conflict in Ukraine:

• we provide psychosocial assistance to children from Ukraine and their parents through partner organizations. 186 children have already received support thanks to the work of mobile groups of educational psychologists from social and pedagogical centers. In addition, in Gomel oblast, we have created a multidisciplinary working group, which includes social protection specialists and medical staff. 60 specialists were trained in case management to provide comprehensive support to families from Ukraine. We train psychologists and Red Cross volunteers, as well as psychologists working with children in the education system, to provide first-hand psychosocial support to children in difficult situations.
• we provide humanitarian aid to affected families. 420 children and 140 adults received kits with hygiene products, clothes, educational materials, toys, etc.
• we develop interdepartmental work so that NGOs, public organizations and government structures work together and strengthen support for affected children and their families. For example, on June 2, at the initiative of UNICEF, a round table was held in Belarus, during which representatives of state and public organizations discussed how to help refugees from Ukraine registered in Belarus to find a job, expand their access to medical services and psychological support. 
• we inform people about available services so that they understand where they can apply for help in Belarus. Therefore, together with our partners we distribute information brochures and train people who help to convey this information. For example, we conducted training for Red Cross volunteers so that they know where to send people to receive routine medical help (including vaccinations).

UNICEF is working hard to scale up aid, which is sorely lacking. We continue to raise funds to help children and families. Make a donation to help.