On the fourth anniversary of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine

Four years after the start of the large-scale expansion of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the people continue to live with destruction, fear, and death. Children are suffering particularly under these circumstances: According to official figures from the Ukrainian government, 684 children have been killed, 2,367 injured, and at least 20,000 abducted to Russia since the beginning of the war. 

Targeted bombing is increasingly shaping the daily lives of many families, subjecting them to constant stress and immense strain; countless people are traumatized. Countless children and their families are freezing in the cold without electricity or heating, unable to attend school, and deeply frightened by the ongoing bombings and the loss of family members or peers; nearly half of all children now show signs of psychological injuries and trauma.
"To reach as many children as possible, Terre des Hommes partner organizations train caregivers such as parents, teachers, and educators who can provide immediate help to children suffering from dangerous situations, panic attacks, or anxiety. In this way, we also support dedicated individuals who are strong enough to offer support even to children facing particularly difficult circumstances. Together with our partner organizations in Ukraine, we have established a network of trauma therapy services." “This has already helped around 180,000 children, teenagers and young adults to find their way back to their former lives,” says Malgorzata Biczyk, Ukraine project coordinator at Terre des Hommes .

As in all its projects worldwide, Terre des Hommes also works with local partner organizations in Ukraine. Over the past four years, 79 projects have been implemented. Since 2022, a total of €26.2 million has been allocated for these projects, including donations and grants from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Federal Foreign Office.
"Cooperation with civil society organizations is indispensable for our work," explains Joshua Hofert, spokesperson for the board of Terre des Hommes . "They must be included in the ongoing negotiations on the future of Ukraine and the country's reconstruction and cannot be ignored."