Three years on, what are the needs of Ukraine's children and families?
On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, we once more sought insights from our Eurochild members in Ukraine about the pressing priorities for children's wellbeing.
Counting children’s needs in justice
3 years of war escalation, 167 drones per night, 1 daily minute of silence to honour one's dead.
In 21st-century Europe, we have to count things that should never happen again.
In this reality, I am engaged in multiple national actions related to children’s rights and child protection, currently with a key focus on children’s access to justice. It is extremely hard to promote rights within a system that is being ruined by war in many senses: physical destruction, loss of human resources, and loss of trust in peace and democracy.
It increases injustice and requires the permanent and confident involvement of national practitioners and the international community. Thankfully, we don’t have to explain that people need medical services even if they are not war-injured; that children need education, and that it should not be only about war. But somehow, we see a lack of resources for human rights issues beyond the direct impact of war, and we have to advocate and fight for every child’s rights protection stronger than ever to keep children’s human rights on national and local agendas—both in humanitarian and non-humanitarian contexts.
“…six, seven… eight” – I wish I didn’t have to remember my neighbour’s daughter learning to count by the sound of explosions in Kyiv every evening.
Read more updates by Polina Klykova
Supporting the Youngest Victims of War
“My son keeps talking to his father, who passed away five months ago.” (Mother of a 6-year-old)
“My daughter wants to go to heaven to be with her dad… She asks me when she will die.” (Mother of a 5-year-old)
“Mom, hold me tight, so Dad doesn’t take me away.” (7-year-old child)
The war is ongoing, and with every air raid siren, the children we support are reminded of their loss. Psychological counselling remains the most powerful tool for overcoming trauma and preventing its long-term consequences. Our mission is clear: to ensure that no child faces this burden alone. Through structured support, we empower a new generation of Ukrainians to overcome hardships and rebuild their lives.
The Children of Heroes Charity Fund remains committed to long-term aid for children who have lost one or both parents to Russia’s war against Ukraine, providing psychological care, education, medical aid, and humanitarian relief. In 2024 we provided direct support to more than 11,700 children from over 7,200 families affected by the war. We addressed the severe emotional and mental toll experienced by children. We responded to 1,704 individual requests and conducted 11,937 psychological consultations.
Looking ahead, we are strengthening our impact through Psychological Screening Implementation; Expansion of Social Adaptation Camps; Growth in Beneficiary Numbers. As of February 2025, we care for over 12,000 children, and this number is growing by 15-20 children daily. To meet this increasing demand, we are scaling our programs to ensure continuous and effective support.
Read more updates by Children of Heroes
Pushing for systemic reforms and urgent interventions for children at risk
Over the past year, the Ukrainian Child Rights Network has expanded to 40 national and international organisations, strengthening efforts to protect children’s rights. Through policy, advocacy, research, direct interventions, and capacity-building, we have worked to address the challenges of wartime displacement, deportation, and institutionalisation. Key achievements include developing the Child Rights Roadmap, now part of Ukraine’s national strategy for family-based care, and launching training to support deinstitutionalisation. The network has also introduced safeguarding policies and advocated for the return of deported and forcibly displaced children.
Our research has informed evidence-based policies on child welfare. The Behind Closed Doors study provided the first comprehensive insight into the experiences of children in institutional care, including children with disabilities, highlighting the urgent need for deinstitutionalisation. Through in-depth interviews, focus groups, and surveys covering 500 children we gathered direct testimony about their dreams, fears, and needs. Meanwhile, the Unreturned study examined the forced deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia, shaping policies for their reintegration and support. Beyond advocacy, our network has directly aided rescue efforts. Through the Way Home project, we helped repatriate 215 children and developed protocols for tracking and supporting affected families. The Integrated Social Services project has reached over 17,700 children and caregivers, expanded services in 27 communities, and trained nearly 2,000 social workers.
Despite the challenges posed by war and resource limitations, we remain committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up in safety, dignity, and a loving family environment.
Read more updates by the Ukrainian Child Rights Network
Evolving Needs: How War is Reshaping the Psychological Support for Ukrainian Children
The Voices of Children Foundation has studied the psychological impact of war on Ukrainian children and conducted a survey, revealing how their mental health needs have evolved over the three years of full-scale war. The psychological needs of Ukrainian children have evolved significantly over the three years of full-scale war.
Initially, most children sought help for acute stress reactions—heightened anxiety, emotional outbursts, and trouble concentrating. However, as war became a prolonged reality, their challenges deepened. Many have adapted to constant sirens and displacement but now struggle with social interactions, motivation, and long-term planning. Cognitive abilities, such as memory and focus, have also suffered, making education and peer relationships difficult. The Voices of Children psychologists report that children from frontline regions face particularly severe trauma, including PTSD, self-harm, and substance use as coping mechanisms. Parents and caregivers are also seeking more support, as conflicts within families intensify. Many struggle with their children’s growing aggression, withdrawal, and defiance.
Psychological services now address not only individual trauma but also family dynamics and social reintegration. The need for professional intervention is greater than ever, requiring a holistic approach that combines therapy, community support, and structured resilience-building programs. The Voices of Children remains at the forefront of this mission, ensuring that no child is left alone in their pain, and that they receive the care they need to rebuild their future.
2024 Achievements:
- 2,630 calls processed on the hotline
- 3,711 online counselling sessions provided
- 74 training sessions conducted for educators, media representatives, law enforcement officers, child protection services, social service centres, police, NGOs, and other specialists
- 119 children with ASD received rehabilitation
- 9,526 children in communities received humanitarian aid
- 17 camps organised for children
- A total of 10,154 children received psychological and psychosocial support
- 3 cultural and artistic events held in frontline cities
Read more updates by Voices of Children
Photo: Children of Heroes Foundation
Further reading:
Read our Ukrainian members' updates and reflections from 2024
