February 24 marks three years since the start of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine. The protracted conflict has devastated the country’s people and their environment. According to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, over 12,000 civilians have lost their lives, including more than 600 children. Thousands more have been left with permanent injuries.
Essential infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and water supplies, have been damaged or destroyed, often in targeted attacks. The United Nations has also warned that the country has been contaminated by explosive remnants of war and landmines. In fact, according to the United Nations Development Program, Ukraine is now the most heavily mined country in the world.
Despite the devastation and ongoing uncertainty, Ukrainian children and families hold fast to hope and peace in the future.
Since 2022, WeWorld and other ChildFund Alliance members have stood by those who had to flee and those who remained in the eastern regions along the front lines. Our goal is to ensure that children have the right to a future.
We will continue to stand by the Ukrainian population to provide support and essential services and help them rebuild their communities. In addition, we will continue to listen and document the testimonies of those experiencing the conflict, which is is essential to understanding what is happening.
Eugenia, mother
Eugenia is originally from Donetsk, a region which has been marred by conflict since 2014. Exhausted and scared by living in a home constantly under attack, Eugenia fled with her two sons to Kharkiv in 2020.
Unfortunately, conflict arrived on her doorstep once again with the invasion by the Russian Federation. This time, however, she has chosen to remain put. Both of her boys suffer with asthma, and Eugenia says she is tired of running away: “If everyone leaves, who take care of the country? Leaving would feel like accepting defeat, so staying is a quiet act of resilience.”
With schools closed, Eugenia’s sons have struggled to maintain connections with their peers. Fortunately, they now have access to a recreation center run by Peaceful Heaven of Kharkiv, which is supported by ChildFund Alliance member WeWorld.
Eugenia’s dreams for the future are simple: she wants health and happiness for her children and hopes one day to return to Donetsk to be with her parents.
Maria, hospital director
Before the war, Maria taught medicine at Kharkiv University. After the invasion, she decided to become the director of the Healthcare Assistance Center in Dergachi, inspired by colleagues who also made the decision to remain and help their local communities.
Every day, her team provides health services and humanitarian aid to those most in need. Many of those who decided to stay are older people requiring medical support. Transportation can be an issue, but Maria says: “We are doing the best we can. We try to reach everybody.”
Maria’s team has also managed the rebuilding of Dergachi hospital, which was destroyed by missile attacks. She says: “A hospital was rebuilt in one year. When people see that something is done every day, they believe that they should stay, that more people will come.”
So how does Maria keep going? She says it is because of her colleagues, who are so courageous and persevering, and the community she supports. “It is these moments of sharing, connection, and gratitude that motivate me, despite the adversity.”
ChildFund Alliance members ChildFund Deutschland, Educo, and WeWorld have implemented humanitarian response programs in Ukraine, with support from ChildFund International, ChildFund Japan, ChildFund Korea, Barnfonden, and Children Believe.