Over 2.9 million children are in need after three years of the war in Ukraine and 11 years of conflict in the country’s eastern region.
Over the past year, the war in Ukraine has intensified, devastating the lives of 1.5 million children in regions on either side of the frontline. Tragically, more than 2,520 children have been killed or injured, and 1 in 5 children in Ukraine have lost a relative or friend since February 2022.
The war is robbing children and teenagers of their childhood, especially along the frontline, where they have been forced to spend up to 5,000 hours – nearly seven months - sheltering underground. The immense loss and deprivation every child across Ukraine is enduring is deeply affecting their development and wellbeing.
Together with local partners, UNICEF is responding to the needs of the most vulnerable children and with your support, will continue building a foundation for long-term recovery for children and families in need.
Philanthropy: Ukraine Crisis
After three years of war, children need you more than ever. Donate to UNICEF's ongoing efforts in Ukraine.
The ongoing war is severely impacting young people during crucial stages of their lives.
After losing his dad in 2023, it has just been 10-year-old Andrii and his mum. “I really don’t like living without Dad,” he says. “But Mum does everything for me, she tries to make sure I’m okay. And I try to support her in return.”
Born in a frontline city in 2014, the year the fighting began, Andrii learned early how to stay safe, especially after the full-scale war started on 24 February 2022.
“It's scary when a shell whistles because that's when you have to drop to the ground quickly. When a drone is coming, you have to run in a zigzag – that way, it has less chance of hitting you,” explains Andrii.
In Andrii’s city, where shelling happens almost daily, each second can make the difference between life and death.
For the past three years, families like Andrii’s have had to live without schools or safe places to play and be with friends. Adolescence is a critical time for growth and development, yet many teenagers in Ukraine face uncertainty and hardship.
The war has triggered an education crisis.
The war has left children and teenagers facing profound loss and deprivation, deeply affecting their development and wellbeing during critical stages of their lives. Nearly 40 per cent of children are studying entirely online or through a mix of in-person and remote classes due to displacement, and more than 1,600 education facilities have been damaged or destroyed. The impact on learning has been overwhelming, with an average educational loss of two years in reading and one year in maths.
Education is more than acquiring knowledge; it builds resilience, critical skills, and hope for the future. UNICEF is working to ensure every child can continue learning by repairing and improving school shelters, providing essential learning materials, training teachers, offering catch-up classes, and strengthening both in-person and online education. Every child has a right to learn, grow, and build a brighter future.
Philanthropy: Ukraine Crisis
After three years of war, children need you more than ever. Donate to UNICEF's ongoing efforts in Ukraine.
How will my donation help support children in Ukraine?
UNICEF and our partners are responding to the needs of the most vulnerable children while building a foundation for long-term recovery for all. Here's how you could help:
- $5,000 could provide 760 children with essential education supplies.
- $10,000 could help provide 135 families with an emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene kit.
- $16,000 could help provide displaced children with essential psychosocial support, clean water, and shelter.
- 80¢on average, 80 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went directly to helping children in need, including long-term programs, emergency response and community education.
- 20¢on average, 14 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went to essential fundraising costs that helped us generate more impact for children, 6 cents went to admin costs, such as keeping your personal data safe.
How do we use each dollar donated?
In the unlikely event that UNICEF receives more funds than needed for this emergency response, your gift will help support UNICEF's work for children in need around the world.
Philanthropy: Ukraine Crisis
After three years of war, children need you more than ever. Donate to UNICEF's ongoing efforts in Ukraine.
Top image: 12-year-old Alina stands outside her home, which suffered heavy damage during the early days of the full-scale war. Photo credit: © UNICEF/UNI739387/Filippov