UNICEF Serbia is Calling All Citizens and the Business Community to Help and Support The Joint Response to Alleviate Refugee Crisis in Ukraine

NEW YORK, March 1 2022 -  "The situation facing children and families caught up in the escalating conflict in Ukraine grows worse by the minute", said Executive Director of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, while announcing an urgent humanitarian call to answer the refugee crisis in Ukraine, which UNICEF Serbia has also joined.

UNICEF Serbia has joined a global appeal to raise funds for all children in Ukraine, and calls upon all citizens and companies to donate and do their part in creating a joint response to the crisis which the conflict in Ukraine has caused.

"Children and families engulfed in this conflict need all the help we can provide, and they need the help now. UNICEF has sent out a call an collected 276 million USD for children in Ukraine through an Emergency call from the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, as well as 73 million USD for the Regional response plan for refugee crisis in neighbouring countries".

"The fighting is moving closer to civilian populations – closer to children’s homes and schools, to hospitals and orphanages. Damage to infrastructure has left hundreds of thousands of people without safe water and electricity.  Explosive weapons and remnants of war in populated areas are real and present dangers."

"At least 13 children have been killed, according to data verified by OHCHR, and we expect that number to increase as fighting rages on.  Many children have been wounded.  And many more children are being profoundly traumatized by the violence all around them. Hundreds of thousands are out of school.  And all 7.5 million children in Ukraine are at heightened risk. 

"UNICEF and our partners are working 24 hours a day to meet rapidly escalating humanitarian needs, which include emergency medical services, critical medicines, health supplies and equipment, safe water for drinking and hygiene, and shelter and protection for those displaced from their homes.   

"At present, we have 140 people working for UNICEF in Ukraine, and we are sending more to meet needs in-country. Across the east, nine UNICEF-supported child protection mobile teams are reaching children wherever they can with psychosocial care, mental health support, and protection services. 

"But the operating environment in Ukraine is extremely complex. Access constraints and rapidly changing front lines make it much more difficult to deliver critical supplies and services.  

"The refugee crisis is growing exponentially, increasing humanitarian needs.  Half of the people on the move are children. UNICEF is working closely with UNHCR to reach them with protection and assistance in receiving countries.  

"We rely on the generosity and support of the global community to help UNICEF and our partners reach children and families in Ukraine, whose lives and futures hang in the balance.  We cannot rest until we reach every child affected by this conflict."

All citizens and companies in Serbia who wish to join UNICEF's call can donate via website donacije.unicef.rs bank transfer at Banca Intesa account number 160-666-18, payment details: Help for children in Ukraine.