More than 200,000 children or nearly a quarter of all children who live in the two areas that are most affected by the continuing conflict in Eastern Ukraine are in urgent need of immediate assistance and psychosocial support says UNICEF. These children need help to deal with the trauma of living through more than three years of violence. The children who most desperately need support live in Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts which are within 15 kilometres of the line that separates government and non-government controlled which is where the fighting is at its fiercest.
“The world has forgotten about this invisible crisis in eastern Ukraine, but hundreds of thousands of children are paying a heavy price, one that could last a lifetime without adequate support. We urgently need funds to reach these traumatized children,” said UNICEF Ukraine Representative Giovanna Barberis.
Living in chronic fear
The children who live nearest to the line of control are living in chronic fear and uncertainty which is caused by the sporadic shelling and unpredictable breakout of fighting. They are also confronted by the dangers of landmines and other unexploded devices. These children risk their lives just to get an education. During the most recent escalation of violence that took place this year between February and March, seven schools were damaged. Over 740 schools or 20 per cent of schools in Eastern Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed since the beginning of the conflict back in 2014.
Children require intense psychological support
The vast majority of the 200,000 children that require intense psychological support in Eastern Ukraine are simply not receiving proper care. Services are underfunded and over extended. Social workers and specially trained teachers as well as psychologists are working 24 hours a day. However, as the proxy war continues additional funds are necessary to meet the needs of the children.
Appealing for donations
UNICEF is asking for donations totalling US$31.2 million in order to deliver support to these children and their families that have been scarred by conflict in Eastern Ukraine. This includes $5.5 million to deliver protection for children as well as psychosocial support. At present, UNICEF has not even received a third of the funds it needs and child protection is critically underfunded.
“Children should not have to live with the emotional scars from a conflict they had no part in creating. Additional support is needed now so that young people in Donetsk and Luhansk can grow into healthy adults and rebuild their communities,” said Barberis. “Children and their families urgently need peace. We call on all sides of the conflict to recommit to the ceasefire signed in Minsk to end this senseless violence.”
