Ukraine: One Year On
Ukraine one year on: a helping hand in times of uncertainty
The conflict in Ukraine continues, but together we are making sure that children do not face this crisis alone. See your support in action.
"No child should have to live through what these children are growing up in,” says 33-year-old Inna Kokhanova.
Inna works at a refugee centre in Warsaw, Poland. It is one of several centres providing a safe space for families from Ukraine with much-needed services like legal advice and counselling. In short, it provides a lifeline to those who’ve fled conflict, and it exists in part thanks to people like you.
One year ago, the devastating scenes of war from inside Ukraine were broadcast to the world. Plan International felt the urgent need to respond and help protect children in crisis – and so did you.
This centre in Warsaw, run by the HumanDoc Foundation, is just one of many services we’ve been able to deliver during this crisis. Together with your donations and the dedication of our local partners, we are helping children and their families recover, rebuild and thrive.
Life remains extremely difficult and uncertain for millions of children and their families in and around Ukraine, with girls facing specific challenges. But we continue to put your generosity to use to ensure that girls needs are met, and no child faces this crisis alone.
Back to school after the bombs
It’s September 2022 and Principal Olena is excited:
Thanks to your donations, Olena was able to welcome students back to her elementary school in a formerly occupied town on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine. Plan International helped to refurbish the damaged school and create new Digital Learning Centres (DLCs) so children can catch-up with their classes and enjoy other extra-curricular school activities.
At another school outside Kyiv, Nastya, Zenya and Amina also returned to a refurbished school, ending their isolation and providing a sense of safety.
“For me, getting back to school meant getting some normalcy back in my life,” said 15-year-old Nastya.
Her best friend Amina, aged 14, added: “I used to think that life during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 was very hard, but I now realise that it was nothing compared to what we are going through now. For me, going back to school meant no longer being stuck on my own at home.”
Education for refugees
Education is a right. But for children like 12-year-old Vitaly who were forced to leave their homes, it’s also an important part of building a life in a new country.
Plan International has been working with local partners across Moldova, Romania and Poland to help ensure refugee children continue to learn; from providing new backpacks full of educational tools to distributing tablets for online learning.
Vitaly feels better now he is settled in Moldova:
Mental health matters
For many children, the experience of war has a lasting impact on their mental health. Ensuring they get the support they need is crucial to their overall wellbeing.
In a refugee centre in the Bucharest, Romania, psychologist Romona delivers mental health and psychosocial support services to women and children. The centre is run by Plan International’s local partner ADRA.
Over time, the drawings started to show more colour and smiling faces, reflecting how children were relaxing into their new environment.
While dealing with trauma is a complex process that takes time and patience, your support has helped provide the environment and expertise needed for many to start this journey.
Tailoring support
Back at the HumanDoc refugee centre in Warsaw, we’ve also been able to support children with complex needs, like 5-year-old Pavel who has autism.
Your generous support means Pavel has had the opportunity to resume speech therapy sessions with the psychologists and therapists at this Warsaw centre.
Protecting children
The search for safety during this conflict forced many children to the risks of travelling unaccompanied or separated from family.Uliana, 12, fled with her brother and sister:
The siblings finally found a place to stay with a foster family in Ukraine who have taken in 10 children. Though safe from immediate danger, they are still far from home, living in a state of limbo.
Your support has helped us reach over 30,000 children like Uliana with protection services, helping to ensure children on the move are protected from sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse.
The chance to play
Safe spaces to play aren’t just important for children. They often give parents much-needed respite too. That’s why we’ve been providing refugee children with opportunities to play upon reaching safety.
Finding safety had been the main thing on Liudmila’s mind for her and her three-and-a-half-year-old twins Liliana and Diana.
But she found safety in Moldova and now benefits from the kindergarten run by Plan International’s partner Amici di Bambini.
Cash assistance
Providing people with cash or vouchers in an emergency allows them to buy exactly what they need, when they need it. That sense of independence is also important for people who’ve experienced so much loss.
Iryna received vouchers in Romania for her and her 13-year-old daughter Arina.
For Viktoriia, who found safety in Bucharest, Romania with her two children, the cash vouchers were an emotional surprise.
Thanks to your generous support, Plan International have helped 40,000 people like Iryna, Viktoriia and their children with cash assistance across Ukraine, Poland and Romania so they can get exactly what they need. We have also distributed 11,200 hygiene kits, including 7,000 period dignity kits in Poland, 600 in Romania and 600 in Moldova to girls and young women.
The donations we have received are making a real difference on the ground and will continue to help people affected by the conflict as new challenges arise and needs continue to change.
We don’t know how long the conflict will last but thanks to you, Plan International and our partners will continue to be there for the people of Ukraine – through the conflict and as communities rebuild and recover.
Latest stories for you
The young activists fighting for gender equality and climate action
Discover the stories of five youth activists around the world.
Forced to flee: the lives of girls in crisis
Hear from girls forced to flee their homes in search of safety and what their hopes are for...
Why you should join the Youth Advisory Panel
We are recruiting for a new Youth Advisory Panel! Also known as YAP. The youth advisory panel...
Seeing is believing: becoming CEO for the day helped me see my power
Penelope took up leadership positions as part of the Girls’ Takeover through Plan...
Show more