Ukraine - Psychological first aid for children

At present, more than 830.000 people have fled Ukraine. The majority are seeking refuge in Poland, but also in Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Moldova.

War Child is moving to provide emergency psychosocial support and protection to vulnerable refugee children and families. Local Romanian civil society organizations are doing their best to shelter refugees, but they have few resources and little to no experience in providing assistance in situations of war.

The United Nations estimate that the number of refugees will continue to rise rapidly - up to four million people. The situation is deteriorating by the hour - more support is urgently needed.

Psychological first aid

We know from years of experience how important it is that children from conflict areas receive quality psychosocial support as quickly as possible. We are therefore preparing to train local organizations in psychological first aid and other mental health services.

To address immediate dangers, we will also lend our expertise in child protection, exploring opportunities to set up War Child ‘Safe Spaces’ in Romania, Moldova and other vulnerable host countries.

Call for immediate ceasefire

“It breaks our hearts to see this happen again in Ukraine”, says War Child Sweden’s Secretary general Peter Brune. “We call for an immediate ceasefire. The war must stop now.”

“War Child and other humanitarian organizations must have unimpeded access to children and families affected by the armed conflict. All parties must fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by ensuring that civilians and civilian objects, especially schools and hospitals, are protected from attack.”

War Child is in close contact with local organizations in Ukraine, neighboring countries and internationally to see how support can be stepped up in the near future.