Ukraine conflict: three-year anniversary

For the people of Ukraine, life will never be the same again; the conflict has left a permanent scar on lives and landscapes.

Thousands have died since 24 February 2022, while whole towns and cities have been razed to the ground.

And in the midst of all this, millions have been displaced – many of them children who’ve lost their homes, schools, communities – almost everything that once gave them a sense of belonging.

Supporting the people of Ukraine

Three years on, World Vision continues to support those impacted, having reached more than 2 million Ukrainians – nearly half of whom are children – with food, cash and vouchers, education, child protection and much more. More than half of those we’ve reached are in Ukraine while others have sought refuge in the neighbouring countries of Romania, Moldova and Georgia.

Our plan? To stay for as long as we’re needed.

What do people need in Ukraine?

With major damage to infrastructure, including power, Ukraine’s citizens are enduring a bleak winter. The coldest period is December to March, when temperatures can dip to -20C.

Hear from World Vision’s Laurentia Jora, reporting from Zapthoria, Ukraine, on the situation there and how we’re supporting families and individuals with winterisation kits:

What are winterisation kits?

Winterisation kits contain thermal blankets, hygiene items, portable gas stoves and gas cylinders. And they are crucial, says Yurii Bezkorovainyi, Director of Will Help Together, World Vision’s local partner, responsible for distributing the kits in frontline areas:

“These communities are hanging by a thread – with shattered windows, half-destroyed buildings, and entire neighborhoods in ruins. On top of that, energy plants are being targeted, leaving families without gas, heating, or water. Power outages are constant, making it nearly impossible to stay warm, boil water, or prepare food.”

Iryna, 64, is from Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine. While receiving her winterisation kit, she shares about her life now.  

“We heavily rely on humanitarian aid now. I’m displaced – again. I had to leave my home in Donetsk Oblast when life there became unbearable. For two years, we lived without light, water, or heating. We were not living – we were just surviving.

“I came to Zaporizhzhia, which is now just 35 kilometres from the frontlines. It’s a city crowded with displaced families like mine, who’ve fled the fighting. I’m a pensioner, and my allowance isn’t enough to cover basic food costs, let alone anything else. This winter terrifies me. I’m scared of being left without heat again, of freezing, of not being able to cook or afford food and medicine. I don’t know how I’ll make it through.”

In addition to the kits, through local partners, World Vision distributes generators, heaters, and power banks to families and shelters in frontline areas.

How is World Vision helping children in Ukraine?

During times of conflict and upheaval, certain groups – like children – are more vulnerable than others. The stress of living through conflict as well as leaving behind the comfort of home can be overwhelming and the impact can be distressing and debilitating.

In some parts of Ukraine, children are spending hours a day in basements. School, if they physically get to go, is regularly disrupted by air raid sirens, but for many, school is online. This is far from ideal for young minds who should be growing and learning in a care and stress-free environment.

Along with supplying vital aid that directly benefits children, World Vision is providing educational and psychological support to children. Our generous supporters have made it possible for World Vision to:

• Train almost 900 teachers in mental and psychosocial support
• Give more than 87,000 children access to child friendly spaces
• Provide 132,000 individuals with mental health support, including trauma counselling
• Reach over 240,000 children with educational programmes.

A chance to recover

“He heard explosions, and that’s when he stopped talking,” says Hennadiy about his 14-year-old son. “And then he saw me covered in blood from a bullet wound; that completely terrified him.”

Hennadiy was shot crossing a bridge on his way to fetching his boys. Thankfully he managed to get to them. Days later, they were out of the city and safe.

Mykola, 14, and Andriy, 15, both have special educational needs, so when conflict spilled into their hometown, they became deeply traumatised.

“Mykola lost his speech,” shares Hennadiy, who is raising his sons alone. “He couldn’t use his hands – to hold a pen or a spoon – and needed to be spoon fed. His condition severely deteriorated.”

Fleeing their home, the family came under the care of World Vision partners Save Ukraine. Along with accommodation, they gained access to a day centre where children can receive educational support, physical therapy, rehabilitation and mental health/psychosocial support.

“The boys enrolled as soon as the centre opened,” says Hennadiy. “Speech therapy, physical therapy, mental health, art, Ukrainian language classes. Children get all the attention here.” Now Mykola is back to his regular self and the boys are returning to school.

How you can help support the children of Ukraine

As the conflict enters its fourth year, World Vision has no plans to leave. Children and other vulnerable groups need our support more than ever as they endure harsh conditions.

Your gift today could be used to:

• Provide food and other essentials
• Keep a family warm and enable them to make hot meals
• Support children in their education
• Aid a child in their recovery from trauma.

Together, we can help families survive and thrive.