Three years of war in Ukraine: Millions of children are still in crisis 

Three years of war in Ukraine have left more than seven million children vulnerable, displaced and—often—alone. Despite relentless humanitarian efforts, the need for aid, protection and stability remains urgent.

Since February 2022, SOS Children’s Villages and our partners have worked relentlessly to shield children from the devastating effects of war. But as the conflict continues, children need more emergency relief, mental health support and safe homes to survive and rebuild their futures. 

The unimaginable toll on Ukraine’s children 

The scars of war run deep.  

Children and families need immediate aid to meet their physical needs. They also need trauma-informed mental health support to heal and develop healthy coping mechanisms to process the trauma they’ve experienced—like Nadiya*, a mother of three who faced a harrowing journey to survive. 

“We left the city on foot and under rocket fire,” Nadiya said. “As we walked, we saw bodies, burned vehicles. It was horrible! I put my hands on my children’s eyes so they wouldn’t see it. Unfortunately, I couldn’t hide everything.”  

SOS Children’s Villages is working relentlessly to provide swift, life-saving help and hope to children and families in need.  

Our team remains unwaveringly dedicated to the children who need us most, and—with compassionate people like you—we continue to provide the protection, stability, and physical and mental health care that those in crisis need.  

“Everything we get from SOS Children’s Villages is useful,” Iulia, a mother of three, said. “From flu medication for the children, to tutoring, and especially the psychological support. We cannot cope with the trauma on our own.”  

Since the war began in 2022, with generous supporters like you, we have:   

• Reached more than 400,000 children and families with life-saving resources.   

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

• Delivered financial assistance so families who lost everything can care for their basic needs.  

• Provided psychological and mental health services to children and families recovering from the trauma of war.  

• Ensured 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.  

• Offered 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.  

• Welcomed over 600 children without parental care into a safe home and loving family.  

Your support can save lives today 

The children of Ukraine 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—while also working toward long-term recovery for children who have lost everything in Ukraine.   

“Honestly, there are no words... emotions are overwhelming for the children,” Tatianna, a mother of two, said. “They live in such difficult times. It's so hard to stay positive, to believe in miracles, in humanity... but what you are doing for the children is a real fairy tale.”  

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

Donate today. 

*Names changed to protect privacy.