SOS Children’s Villages named top child protection charity in Ukraine

Children are always the most vulnerable in times of crisis, and since 2022, more than seven million children in Ukraine have experienced violence, displacement and disrupted education.  

Amid devastating conflict in Ukraine, SOS’s dedication to protecting vulnerable children earns national recognition. 

Award recognition amid crisis 

On June 19 in Kyiv, SOS Children’s Villages was awarded first place in the national “Charitable - Ukraine 2024” ceremony for best organization in the “Charity in the field of protection and assistance to children” category. 

The competition, organized for 18 years by the Association of Philanthropists of Ukraine, annually recognizes “those who work selflessly to help others, support Ukrainian society and strengthen the humanitarian front in the most difficult times.” 

Selected from a record-high 1,790 applicants, this recognition highlights SOS’ unwavering dedication to protecting and providing for children—no matter the state of the world around them.  

Building on decades of trust 

Building on 75 years of global experience in child protection, this award recognizes SOS’ storied history in caring for the most vulnerable children. Since 2003, SOS has been providing safe, loving homes to children without parental care and strengthening families to prevent separation in Ukraine. Our trusted and established presence in Ukraine allowed us to quickly scale our emergency response services in 2022. 

“For SOS Children's Villages, this distinction is more than an award,” wrote the SOS team in Ukraine. “It is a recognition of the strength of the daily work of our specialists, the trust of children and families and the result of deep cooperation with [our donors and] partners.” 

Life-saving impact across Ukraine 

Since the conflict began in 2022, SOS has provided critical, comprehensive support to vulnerable children and families in Ukraine, demonstrating the holistic emergency relief and long-term support that led to our national recognition:  

— Reaching more than 400,000 children and families with life-saving aid.    

— Creating child-friendly spaces where children can continue their education and receive psychosocial support they need to thrive.   

— Delivering financial assistance so families who lost everything can care for their basic needs.   

— Providing psychological and mental health services to children and families recovering from the trauma of war.   

— Ensuring health care support for children overcoming injuries sustained in the conflict, including providing technological resources so they can continue their education while they heal in a hospital.   

— Offering immediate relief—like food, supplies, psychosocial support and evacuations help—to more than 2,800 children and their foster parents supported by SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine.   

— Welcoming over 600 children without parental care into a safe home and loving family.   

How you can help protect a child today 

This award and life-changing work for the children of Ukraine is only possible because generous supporters worldwide believe that every child should grow up safe, protected and loved. 

Today, you can join our worldwide family of child advocates, help protect children in crisis—like those in Ukraine—and deliver the support they need to heal from trauma and build a brighter future with a gift to the Children in Crisis Fund. 

Your support delivers the emergency relief—like food, clean water, clothing, medical care and safe shelter—and long-term support children in crisis need, like those in Ukraine. 

Together, we can create a world where every child grows up safe, healthy and loved.