Two years of full-scale war in Ukraine
Since the escalation of war in February 2022 Ukraines children and their families have endured forced displacement, unthinkable loss and relentless violence. Over the past two years, according to UNICEF estimates of the latest available data, children in Ukraines frontline areas have been forced to spend between 3,000 and 5,000 hours sheltering in basements as air raid alerts sound above. They have experienced prolonged disruption of schooling and routine, sparking a deep sense of loss, dread, fear and anxiety. These feelings, coupled with isolation manifest in ways that make it challenging for children to feel happiness, learn, and participate in everyday life. The constant fear of death, injury and further loss is compounded by continuing attacks. Even when the bombing stops, the ground children walk on can cost them their lives, as mines and explosive remnants of war cover an estimated 30 per cent of the country. Many children who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries are struggling to access education, health care, and protection services, and, as the war wages, face the prospect of long-term displacement and deprivation. Despite their resilience, for many children inside and outside Ukraine, the war has wiped out two years of schooling, playtime with friends, and moments spent with loved ones, robbing them of their education and happiness, wreaking havoc on their mental state. Ukraines children need this war to end and a sustained commitment and resources to be able to recover and reclaim their childhoods. Two years of full-scale war in Ukraine M E D I A F A C T S H E E T 24.02.24 579Children killed2 Children injured31,284 1,567 Half of children inside Ukraine are unable to access full time face-to-face learning4 More than half of Ukraines refugee children are not enrolled in national education systems in host countries5 ! attacks on health care1 3.3 millionof Ukraines children in need of humanitarian assistance3 Ukraine is the most heavily mined country in the world, with unexploded ordinance covering a third of the country Children on Ukraine's frontline have been forced to spend the equivilant of four to seven months sheltering underground6 Impact of war on children UNICEFs response 1,300,000children with access to formal and non-formal learning (including early learning) 1,250,000children with access to formal or non-formal education, including early learning 2,500,000children and caregivers with access to mental health and psychosocial support children and caregivers received mental health and psychological support. More than 5,500,000 people with access to safe water for drinking and domestic needs 5,000,000children and women with access to primary health care in UNICEF-supported facilities and through mobile teams Over 346,000women and children with access to primary health care More than Education Protection Water and sanitation Health In Ukraine7In 2023, UNICEF and partners provided: In countries hosting refugees8 1,300,000households through both UNICEF funded programmes and UNICEF technical assistance to government programmes Cash transfers to 97,000 25,000people with sufficient safe water for drinking and domestic needs and over 100,000 people with critical WASH supplies More than More than More than Over 8 million children, young people and caregivers with education on explosive ordnance risk and preventive practices. Information on prevention of violence and access to services (including social protection, health, nutrition, education to more than 23.4 million people) UNICEF continues to respond to childrens urgent humanitarian needs and ensure children have access to health care, immunization, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, and mental health and psychosocial support. At the same time, UNICEF is also working to support Ukraines long-term recovery which depends on the recovery of children who are affected by the war today. UNICEF has expanded efforts to support the government on an inclusive and child-centered and sustainable recovery, through strengthening child protection, education, and health services. In refugee hosting countries, UNICEF continues to work with governments, municipalities, and local partners to strengthen national systems that provide refugee children and marginalized children from host communities with quality education, health care and protection. Resources needed to continue our support for children US $580.5millionIn 2024, with the war continuing to have devastating consequences for the countrys children, UNICEF is appealing for $580.5 million. This critical funding will address the immediate and longer-term needs of 5.3 million people, including 1.3 million children, in Ukraine and in refugee-hosting countries. Funding will enable UNICEF to support system strengthening and sustain and expand critical services in health, nutrition, child protection, gender-based violence and social protection. Resources are key to advancing recovery efforts in Ukraine. Health & Nutrition 13.9% Child Protection 24.9% Education 22.9% Social Protection 15.2% Cross-sectoral 2.2%% Water, Sanitation & Hygiene 20.9% 1 WHO: https://extranet.who.int/ssa/LeftMenu/Index.aspx?utm_source=Stopping%20attacks%20on%20health%20care%20QandA&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Link_who As of 14 Feburary 2024 2 OHCHR: https://ukraine.un.org/en/259792-protection-civilians-armed-conflict-%E2%80%94-january-2024 3 UNICEF: https://www.unicef.org/appeals/ukraine 3, 5 UNICEF estimates 6 https://air-alarms.in.ua/en 7 https://www.unicef.org/documents/ukraine-humanitarian-situation-report-december-2023 8 https://www.unicef.org/documents/unicef-ecar-humanitarian-situation-report-no-25-ukraine-refugee-response-neighboring For more information, please contact: Georgina Diallo, UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office, Tel: +41763206814, gdiallo@unicef.org https://extranet.who.int/ssa/LeftMenu/Index.aspx?utm_source=Stopping%20attacks%20on%20health%20care%20QandA&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Link_who https://extranet.who.int/ssa/LeftMenu/Index.aspx?utm_source=Stopping%20attacks%20on%20health%20care%20QandA&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Link_who https://extranet.who.int/ssa/LeftMenu/Index.aspx?utm_source=Stopping%20attacks%20on%20health%20care%20QandA&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Link_who mailto:https://ukraine.un.org/en/259792-protection-civilians-armed-conflict-%25E2%2580%2594-january-2024?subject= mailto:https://ukraine.un.org/en/259792-protection-civilians-armed-conflict-%25E2%2580%2594-january-2024?subject= https://www.unicef.org/appeals/ukraine https://air-alarms.in.ua/en mailto:https://www.unicef.org/documents/ukraine-humanitarian-situation-report-december-2023?subject= mailto:https://www.unicef.org/documents/ukraine-humanitarian-situation-report-december-2023?subject= mailto:https://www.unicef.org/documents/unicef-ecar-humanitarian-situation-report-no-25-ukraine-refugee-response-neighboring?subject= mailto:https://www.unicef.org/documents/unicef-ecar-humanitarian-situation-report-no-25-ukraine-refugee-response-neighboring?subject= mailto:gdiallo%40unicef.org?subject=
Get the document