UNICEF: Nearly two-thirds of Ukraine’s children are displaced

Nearly two-thirds of Ukraine’s children are displaced – whether displaced inside the country or those who have fled across borders as refugees.

“The numbers are staggering, and bear repeating. Nearly two-thirds of Ukraine’s children are displaced – whether displaced inside the country or those who have fled across borders as refugees. Children forced to leave homes, friends, toys and treasured belongings, family members and facing uncertainty about the future. This instability is robbing children of their futures – trauma and fear can have long-lasting impacts on children’s physical and mental health,” Afshan Khan, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, said at a briefing on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported from New York.

As noted, according to the latest figures from OHCHR, 277 children have been killed, with another 456 children injured, mostly due to the use of explosives in built-up, urban areas. According to Khan, explosive weapons kill and maim children and prevent them from returning to normal life in their homes.

She also noted that at least 256 attacks on health care facilities had been recorded and thousands of schools had been damaged or destroyed.

At least 1.4 million in the east are without access to running water, the UNICEF Regional Director added.

To date, UNICEF has reached over 2 million people with health supplies and access to safe drinking water. As noted, repairing schools is a priority for UNICEF and the government so children can return to safe blended learning in September.

Khan said that she had spent last week in Ukraine, “meeting with children and families affected by the war, seeing UNICEF’s critical humanitarian response and meeting with authorities, UN colleagues and partner organisations.”

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