Ukraine: Children Without Caregivers Risk Being Forgotten

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (March 14, 2022) – An estimated 100,000 children living in orphanages and institutions in Ukraine are at risk of being left behind or being permanently separated from family members as the war continues; Save the Children said today.

Ukraine has one of the highest rates of institutional care in Europe, with about 1.3% of all children living in some form of residential care facility. Many of these children remain trapped in institutions as more cities and civilian infrastructure come under attack, including reports of an orphanage being shelled on February 25. 

Save the Children is extremely concerned that the children in these institutions won’t be able to access appropriate care as the violence in Ukraine escalates and food, heating, and access to education and medical care becoming more difficult. As in any crisis, children without caregivers or guardians in Ukraine are at increased risk of abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and neglect. 

Since February 24, more than two million people have fled the country – half of them children. The vast majority of refugee children have left for neighboring countries with a parent or guardian.

Irina Saghoyan, Save the Children’s Eastern Europe Director, said:

"Russia’s military operation in Ukraine has triggered a million children to flee, but the majority of children in institutional care remain trapped in the country. These children are some of the most vulnerable in Ukraine and face a heightened risk of trafficking, abuse, and other forms of exploitation.

“We are extremely worried about the safety and welling of these children, especially those living with disabilities. Many children living in institutional care have living relatives able and willing to care for them. However, with the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, we fear these children will be left behind.

“Ensuring the safety of these children, their continued care and access to basic needs must be prioritized. Children in institutional care cannot be forgotten.”

Save the Children is calling on governments and organizations to step up and protect children in Ukraine to prevent them from becoming permanently separated from family members or falling victim to abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and neglect. This includes ensuring children without caregivers have access to safe transportation and housing, quality health care, protection, and psychosocial support. In addition, it is critical that relevant authorities and the relatives of these children are involved in their movement and subsequent placement for safeguarding and family tracing and reunification.

Save the Children is working to establish family tracing and reunification procedures with other agencies to help reunite children with extended family and friends in Ukraine, Poland, and neighboring countries, as well as to establish child protection systems and reporting mechanisms to keep children safe.

Save the Children has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, providing humanitarian aid to children and their families. This includes supporting access to education, distributing winter and hygiene kits, and providing cash grants to families. Our specialists support children to overcome the mental and psychological impacts of their experiences of conflict and violence and increase their ability to cope with stress in their daily lives. 

• Save the Children staff and volunteers are distributing food, water, and hygiene kits to IDPs inside Ukraine and refugees arriving at the Romania-Ukraine border and in reception centers. 
• In Poland and Romania, we provide Child Protection services, including targeted support for unaccompanied and separated children, psychosocial support, and access to legal services. 
• Save the Children works with refugee and migrant children inside and outside of Europe, aiming to support vulnerable children with the greatest needs. 
• Individuals should not attempt private adoption as such services are unregulated. The best place for a child in an emergency is with their families and communities. 
• About 100,000 children are estimated to be living in some form of residential care facility, about 1.3% of the total 7.5 million child population in Ukraine. 

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.