Since the conflict started in eastern Ukraine in 2014, around 1.8 million people have been internally displaced and 3.1 million are in need of humanitarian assistance. The lives of hundreds of thousands of children and families throughout the country have been severely disrupted.
SOS Children's Villages is responding to the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine.
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For just $25/month you can sponsor an SOS Village and help provide children without parental care:
- A safe and nurturing home
- A loving SOS mother
- Quality education
- Healthcare
- Nutritious food
- Clothing and toys
- All the things necessary for a bright future
Families struggling to cope with political and economic changes
Ukraine, with a population of 43 million, is Europe's second largest country. Kiev, the capital, is home to around 2.9 million people (2015 estimate). Most of the population is Ukrainian, with Russians being the biggest minority - they account for 17 per cent of the population. The official language is Ukrainian, but Russian is still widely spoken, particularly in the areas bordering Russia.
In recent decades, Ukraine has lived through many political, economic and social changes. This uncertainty has had negative effects on the lives of families and children, and their situation has been particularly difficult since the fighting began in the eastern areas of the country in 2014.
The whole country has been adversely affected by the current conflict: for example, in 2015, both unemployment and poverty rose. The prices of food, basic goods and utilities (such as gas and electricity) have risen and many families find it hard to live off their reduced wages.
Life is especially tough for those who have been caught up in the conflict: around 1.8 million people have had to flee, leaving their homes and livelihoods behind. It isn't always easy for them to find a job and a home in the new area where they settle, and as a result over three million people are in need of shelter, food and other humanitarian assistance.
Poverty and lack of health care affects many people
Over the past decades, many Ukrainians have moved abroad in search of a better life. The remittances they send back to Ukraine are an important part of the economy. Among those who have moved are medical staff - this has left the Ukrainian health care system in difficulties.
In comparison to its European neighbours, Ukraine has one of the lowest life expectancy rates. It was 69 years of age in 2014. The reasons for this include: environmental pollution, poor diets, smoking and drinking and a health care system in need of investment.
Another health issue is also a problem: the HIV/AIDS rate is one of the highest in Europe and it is growing fast. In many cases, as parents become ill or die, relatives are unwilling to look after children and they are placed in care.
Children's lives are affected by poverty
There are nearly eight million children living in the Ukraine. An increasing number of children are being brought up in single-parent households where the parent may struggle to care for their children. This is especially hard in rural areas, where young women who have children out of marriage face discrimination. These children are at a higher risk of living in poverty and ending up in care.
In 2015, there was an increase in the number of children without parental care. Most of these children are placed in large institutions, where their needs are not met.
According to the United Nations, 580,000 children in non-government controlled areas in Ukraine have been affected by the recent conflict. Some 200,000 of them need psychosocial support. In addition, one out of five schools in the conflict areas has been damaged or destroyed, and children can't continue their education.
Children's lives are affected by poverty
There are nearly eight million children living in the Ukraine. An increasing number of children are being brought up in single-parent households where the parent may struggle to care for their children. This is especially hard in rural areas, where young women who have children out of marriage face discrimination. These children are at a higher risk of living in poverty and ending up in care.
In 2015, there was an increase in the number of children without parental care. Most of these children are placed in large institutions, where their needs are not met.
According to the United Nations, 580,000 children in non-government controlled areas in Ukraine have been affected by the recent conflict. Some 200,000 of them need psychosocial support. In addition, one out of five schools in the conflict areas has been damaged or destroyed, and children can't continue their education.
Our Impact
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The SOS Children's Village in Ukraine provides loving homes to orphaned and abandoned children |
2 VILLAGES | 90 Orphaned and Abandoned Children |
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SOS Social Centres in Ukraine aim is to help families, in particular women and children, living in communities neighbouring the SOS Children's Villages to gradually escape from poverty, and to help young people become self-reliant. |
3 SOCIAL CENTRES | 918 Beneficiaries |
Our Impact
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