Four years of war in Ukraine: Countless childhoods changed forever

Children across the country struggle to survive air raids, displacement, separation from loved ones, power cuts in a brutal winter and uncertainty about the future. For many, war has become the backdrop of their entire childhood. 

“Emotionally, children are exhausted,” said Serhii Lukashove, national director of SOS Children’s Villages in Ukraine. “Many have grown up in a context of continuous uncertainty and fear.”  

Winter conditions have made daily life even harder. Repeated attacks on energy infrastructure have left more than one million Ukrainians without electricity, heat or running water in their homes. 

“It’s not possible to live,” said a mother served by SOS Children’s Villages in Ukraine. “The children are freezing. We dress them in sweaters and wrap them in thick coats to warm up, but the electricity is cut. At home, it’s only 15 degrees.” 

But there is hope, says SOS psychologist Inha Palamarchuk. With loving relationships and therapeutic support, children can heal and build resilient, brighter futures beyond the trauma of war. 

“The children now are experiencing trauma, loss, stress, air raids,” Inha said. “But at the same time, they have this incredible ability to recover.” 

Read more about how your compassion helps children heal after trauma. 

Growing needs, sustained response 

Nearly two million children in Ukraine are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, with 70% lacking access to basic necessities. Families continue to face displacement, economic hardship and the psychological toll of prolonged crisis. 

Since the start of the full-scale war, SOS Children’s Villages has supported more than 600,000 people inside Ukraine.  

With local partner organizations and generous supporters like you, we: 

— Currently provide care for one in three of all psychologically or physically injured children in Ukraine. 

— Deliver psychological support to more than 185,000 children and families so they can heal and cope with stress, trauma and loss. 

— Support more than 166,000 displaced children and families with urgent aid, counselling and psychological care. 

— Provide and operate more than 120 child-friendly spaces where children can continue their education and receive the psychosocial support they need to thrive. 

Learn more about your life-saving impact in Ukraine. 

Daily work in extraordinary circumstances 

Providing this support means working under constant pressure. Air-raid alerts interrupt activities, power outages disrupt daily life and families often face repeated displacement. In spite of these challenges, support must continue. 

“For us, it reinforces a clear sense of duty—the responsibility to continue our work for children and families affected by the war, day after day,” Serhii said. “Our focus remains on the people we serve and the commitment to stand by them, regardless of the challenges.” 

Your support can save lives today 

Four years after the start of the full-scale invasion, the needs remain immense. More than 12 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian support, many of them children like Eva*, a nine-year-old girl with only one wish for the future.  

“What I want is for the war to end,” Eva said. “And for my dad to come home.” 

Children like Eva can’t wait. They need urgent relief to survive and long-term support to heal.   

Your gift to the Children in Crisis Fund provides emergency relief—food, clean water, clothing, medical care and safe shelter—to children who have lost everything in Ukraine.  

Together, we can help a generation of children in Ukraine rebuild their lives, heal from trauma and create a brighter future.    

*Names changed to protect privacy.