Don't Abandon Ukrainian Children Now

"While the politicians talk, Ukrainian children enter their fourth year of no school and no normal childhood - longer if you include the interruptions of Covid," says Josie Pagani CEO of ChildFund.

Thousands of children have relied on the help of New Zealanders and others around the world to make sure they can keep accessing online education, have safe places to play, or learn abroad as their families seek refuge in places like Moldova.

Many have never set foot in a classroom.

ChildFund will keep supporting these children, with the help of donations from the New Zealand public, and support from The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

"This is the generation who will have to rebuild Ukraine. They will be the builders, engineers, teachers, and leaders of the future. It’s not just that they deserve to be safe, to learn, to have a future like any other child. It’s also that they are literally the future of Ukraine," says Josie Pagani.

Since 2022, ChildFund’s partners implementing the Ukraine Regional Refugee Response have:

• Reached over 3,700 caregivers and children with psychosocial support and counselling services
• Provided access to child friendly spaces, supporting access for 2,383 children to play activities and facilities
• Provided child dedicated food bags to 8,237 children and caregivers
• Provided access to additional education and training services for 204 children and young people
• Provided referrals, assistive devices and systems strengthening for 88 children with disabilities and service providers.

Since Russia invaded, more than 4,000 schools and educational institutions in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed.

"We are asking New Zealanders to keep supporting these efforts. Ukrainian children need decent food, safe places to learn. They need to be able to play like other children, and get the counselling they so desperately need."

"We don’t know how this war will end. But we do know these children will be tasked with rebuilding their country and their communities. They need our support more than ever."

Donate here: https://childfund.org.nz/?form=Ukraine-refugee-response

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