A million child refugees flee Ukraine with growing risk of separation

As many as a million children have fled Ukraine in recent weeks, it emerged today, as the total number of refugees fleeing Ukraine reached 2 million people. A growing number of these children are arriving on their own, with no family support, in an escalating child protection crisis. 

Reports from the border suggest that some children who arrive unaccompanied have been sent by family members who were unable to leave Ukraine but wanted their children to be safe from ground attack and aerial explosions. Others have been separated from their families in the chaos of fleeing their homes. Many of the solo arrivals are under 14 and showing signs of psychological distress. 

The Disasters Emergency’s Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has raised an astonishing £120 million in just five days to help people fleeing the conflict, including £25 million matched by the UK Government. Donations are funding the work of DEC member charities including charities focused on children’s needs such as Save the Children, Plan International and World Vision. 

Save the Children is working with other agencies to trace relatives and help reunite children with extended family and friends in Poland and neighbouring countries. They are also establishing systems to report problems, protect children and keep them safe. 

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

“Parents are resorting to the most desperate, heart-breaking measures to protect their children. This includes sending their children away with neighbours and friends, to seek safety outside of Ukraine, while they stay behind to protect their homes. 

“Separation can mean profound psychological stress from uncertainty, and fear for family members. It also increases risks of violence, exploitation, trafficking and abuse. Many of these separated children are travelling with their older siblings or extended families. Others are travelling with neighbours or other adults. They are in need of protection and support and are still incredibly vulnerable. 

“All efforts must be made to prevent the separation of children from their caregivers and to ensure immediate family tracing and reunification where it occurs. We know that the quicker we act the more likely it is that  children can be reunited with their loved ones. We will continue to respond where we are most needed and where children need urgent protection.”  

24/02/23 Update: Find out how donations are helping one year on from the start of the conflict here.

ENDS 

Notes to editors: 

Media enquiries please call 020 7387 0200 or 07734 653616 (out of hours). 

DEC charities are working in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries, ramping up efforts to meet the growing humanitarian need. We have spokespeople available in Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Moldova and the UK. 

For more information or to request interviews in advance please contact: bguiton@dec.org.uk 

A collection of images and video footage of DEC member charities responding as refugees arrive into neighbouring countries is available here. 

About the DEC: The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities at times of crisis overseas to raise funds quickly and efficiently. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response. The DEC’s 15 member charities are: Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK. 

Thirteen of the DEC’s 15 members are either responding or planning to respond in Ukraine or in neighbouring countries and will receive funds from this appeal. Some may work through trusted local partners. They are Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK and World Vision UK. 

Through UK Aid Match the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) gives the British public the opportunity to have a say in how the UK aid budget is spent whilst boosting the impact of the very best British charities to change and save the lives of some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. The UK Government match funded up to £25 million of public donations to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. This is the largest commitment ever made to a DEC appeal through UK Aid Match and will double the impact of public donations, ensuring that charities working on the ground can reach those in urgent need. 

UK Aid Match has increased the impact of a number of DEC appeals to help those in need around the world, including most recently to support people in Afghanistan through DEC’s Afghanistan Appeal in 2021. 

Enquiries about UK Aid Match and UK Government support for Ukraine should be directed to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Newsdesk. Please email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk. 

How to donate:  

• Online: dec.org.uk 
• Phone: 0370 60 60 900 
• SMS: To donate £10 text SUPPORT to 70150. Texts cost £10 plus the standard network charge and the whole £10 goes to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer's permission. For full terms and conditions and more information go to www.dec.org.uk 
• Or donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office or send a cheque by post to Post: DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.