365 days of remarkable solidarity of the people of Czech Republic with children fleeing war in Ukraine

24 February, Prague - The children and families of Ukraine have now endured 365 days of violence, trauma, loss, destruction and displacement since the war escalated in February 2022.

The war has created a serious humanitarian crisis. By the end of 2022, more than 17 million people, including 3.4 million children, were in need of humanitarian assistance.

Since the start of the war, more than 450,000 refugees from Ukraine, mostly children and women, have arrived in the Czech Republic in search of safety, and since the very beginning, the Czech people, civil society, volunteers and national institutions have shown tremendous solidarity and support.   

“The Czech Republic opened its doors, homes, schools and hearts to the refugees. The solidarity of the Czech Republic shown to the people of Ukraine in the face of this war is an example of the best of humanity. UNICEF remains committed to continue working with the government and civil society partners to support refugee children and their families, especially the most vulnerable.  While our joint efforts aim at supporting refugees, the work to strengthen the Czech social system to cope with additional pressures and expand services will benefit all children and families in the Czech Republic in the long term,” said Yulia Oleinik, Head of UNICEF Refugee Response Office in the Czech Republic.

UNICEF has been assisting all children impacted by the war, both in Ukraine and in neighboring countries. In the Czech Republic, the Government, with the support of UNICEF, has established nine outpatient centers across the country. Together we have provided primary health care services to over 15,000 children and women. In addition, nearly 52,000 children and adolescents were supported to enroll in local schools, and over 24,000 children and caregivers were provided with access to mental health and psychosocial support services.

The support to Ukraine was possible also thanks to the generous donations of the Czech people. More than 6,000 individual donors were involved, and 24 Czech companies or organisations donated more than CZK 100,000 each. Volunteers also did a great job - 63 choirs in 19 cities sang for Ukraine as part of the Sing for UNICEF event. In the Czech Republic, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, more than 30 million Czech crowns were raised. Globally, more than 8,500 tonnes of humanitarian aid were delivered to Ukraine - this included basic humanitarian supplies such as soaps, plasters, medicine and water purification tablets, as well as medical equipment and ambulances for paramedics.

"In every major humanitarian crisis, the Czechs prove that we are a nation that can lend a helping hand where it is most needed. UNICEF's work would not be possible without our volunteers and individual and corporate donors who have supported our work in the country with huge amounts of money. We are truly grateful for such significant help," notes Pavla Gomba, Executive Director of the Czech National Committee for UNICEF.

The war in Ukraine is having a devasting impact on the mental well-being of children, robbing them of stability, safety, school, friends, family, a home and hopes for the future.  UNICEF stands with the children of Ukraine and will continue working with national and local authorities, as well as civil society organizations to deliver humanitarian assistance and services to families fleeing the conflict.