Efforts Made for Children Caught in the Ukraine-Russia War
By Allysa Fatima L. Ilagan
As the war continues throughout Ukraine and Russia, the safety and well-being of the children are also put in jeopardy. Children continue to be killed, injured, and traumatized by the violence that surrounds them. Human trafficking and exploitation are also on the rise, since traffickers frequently aim to exploit from the chaos created by wide-ranging population movements.
According to UNICEF, 4.3 million children have been displaced since Russia's war on Ukraine began, accounting for more than half of the country's children. Children have been forced to evacuate their homes resulting in one of the fastest large-scale displacements of children since World War II, stated by UNICEF chief Catherine Russell.
The Ukraine-Russia war resulted in damage to healthcare facilities, ambulances, schools, access to safe water and food. UNICEF also warned that vaccine coverage for routine and childhood vaccinations, especially for measles and polio, is already declining.
Thus, children’s health is also an issue since outbreaks from vaccine-preventable diseases may occur. In order to prevent this, the UN agency reinforced its request for an urgent cease-fire and the protection of children.
UNICEF has taken initiative to help these children and families affected by the war. They have made efforts to address crucial and growing demands for potable water, health care, education, and security.
Hygiene kits, baby diapers, maternal health kits, institutional hygiene kits, disinfectants, and bottled water were delivered to health and social institutions in eastern Ukraine. Mobile child protection teams were also expanded in order to provide psychosocial support to these traumatized children.
Blue Dot hubs were also activated which is a one-stop safe space for children and women. This will aid key information to traveling families as well as the identification of unaccompanied and separated children.
UNICEF also provided continuous emergency response efforts in order to combat COVID-19. They have collaborated with municipalities to boost COVID-19 immunization rates and raise public awareness.
In these times of crisis, it is important that children are not overlooked for they are a vulnerable population that needs attention. They are highly susceptible to both physical and psychological trauma which can have long-term consequences. It is every child's right to be protected from this violence and to live in a peaceful and safe community.
REFERENCES:
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War in Ukraine: Support for children and families. (2022). Unicef.org. https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/war-ukraine-pose-immediate-threat-children
Schlein, L. (2022, February 26). UNICEF Boosting Aid to Children Threatened by Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. VOA; UNICEF Boosting Aid to Children Threatened by Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. https://www.voanews.com/a/unicef-boosting-aid-to-children-threatened-by-russia-invasion-of-ukraine/6460556.html
NDTV. (2022, March 24). Over Half Of Ukraine’s Children Displaced By War: United Nations. NDTV.com. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/ukraine-russia-conflict-over-half-of-ukraines-children-displaced-by-war-united-nations-2841055