Ukraine: Emergency aid for children and families
Enough food, a roof over their heads, warm clothing and heating in winter, medicine and medical care: these are the basic needs that still concern millions of people in Ukraine. Even with the start of the fourth year of war – since Russia expanded its attacks to cover all of Ukraine – the need for humanitarian aid and emergency assistance remains constant.
The war has destroyed vital infrastructure and disrupted access to electricity, heating, water, and communication. According to UN statistics, 3.5 million people are internally displaced, and more than 6 million are outside the country – by far the largest displacement within Europe since World War II. More than 14 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Approximately 20 percent are children.
Many families living in villages and towns in the east and south have been forced to leave everything behind and flee to the safety of the west. Consequently, the pressure on the economy and infrastructure there is immense. Meanwhile, other families, especially those with limited mobility or those whose livelihoods depend on land ownership, are still stranded in areas near the front lines. They often rely on mobile emergency aid.
“Unfortunately, the need to mitigate the immediate consequences of the war remains enormous. It is always the most urgent basic needs that are being addressed.”
CAMZ, the "Committee of Medical Aid in Zakarpattya", is part of the Terre des Hommes joint project to "improve the protection of children in emergency situations in Ukraine through safe accommodation, provision of food and other goods, and psychosocial support".
The goal: to improve the humanitarian situation of more than 80,000 war-affected children and young people, as well as their families and caregivers in Ukraine. Institutional care facilities – children's homes, hospitals, emergency shelters – are also being supplied with urgently needed goods. In addition, psychosocial support and trauma assistance services are being established for children who have experienced war and displacement – from therapy sessions to play and leisure activities in safe, protected spaces.
"I do everything that needs to be done: I pack food parcels and distribute diapers and hygiene kits, sometimes I teach classes or help teachers and coaches with teaching children."
To the young people in Kherson, I would like to say: It is better not to stay here now. But for the future, when they return, I would hope that they will work with organizations like ours to help others, especially those who have suffered under the shelling here.
Dima volunteers with the "Kherson League of Social Workers" (partner Vplyv Fund) in the city of Kherson. He fled two years ago from the territories of Ukraine now occupied by Russia.
The project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. Five partner organizations in Ukraine – CAMZ, Vplyv Fund, NUMO, SiLab Ukraine and Yellow and Blue Wings Fund – have joined forces with ChildFund Germany and Terre des Hommes to create effective emergency relief structures and networks.
The project is thus able to adapt aid quickly and effectively to the constantly changing realities of war – and to seize opportunities as they arise. For example, a children's home in Vilschany was recently equipped with a new heating system to protect it from the winter cold despite frequent power outages. The home houses children with severe physical and mental disabilities – since 2022, it has taken in more than 40 children and young people from war zones.
In 2024 alone, the project helped approximately 120,000 people in 21 regions of Ukraine. Originally planned for 12 months, the project was recently extended for another year.
“It’s still a matter of putting out fires. There’s practically always an emergency need somewhere, and we’re trying to use our emergency aid to help those who need it most urgently,” Lesya Levko summarizes. “We thank everyone who is supporting Ukraine during this difficult time.”
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