Millions of children exposed to illnesses like hypothermia as big freeze hits Ukraine

Images available here.

Millions of children both inside Ukraine and fleeing to neighbouring countries are at risk of hypothermia, hunger and even death, as temperatures could plummet to -20˚C degrees this weekend, charities warned today.  

The past week has seen an extreme Arctic cold blast strike Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, where the current conflict entered its third week, forcing millions from their homes. 

At least one million children have now fled Ukraine, and millions more are displaced within the country.  

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

“As temperatures plummet, children who have been forced from their homes are trekking through the brutal cold, with high winds and snow, carrying whatever they could grab before they fled. At night they are sheltering wherever they can, often exposed to the harshest of elements. Some of these children are completely alone.  

“For those staying put as the conflict escalates around them, there is already not enough food to eat, enough clothes to keep them warm, or resources to repair and heat their homes.   

“These are incredibly dangerous conditions for a child to be exposed to. Newborn babies and small children are at particular risk of getting very cold very quickly and of hypothermia, as they are still developing and less able to regulate their body temperatures. Freezing temperatures make it harder for breastfeeding mothers to produce milk, leaving babies at risk of starving. 

“This is before we even begin to think about the mental anguish children will already be going through trying to process what has happened to them over the past two weeks.” 

Katie Morrison, part of Plan International’s emergency response team, said: 

"The weather is not on the side of the refugees, especially young children. It is bitterly cold, especially at night. Even before this new cold snap, it was cold enough that you lose the feeling in your fingers after a few minutes, and families are often waiting for hours in these temperatures.  

"People are arriving at the border at all times of day and night, often having walked for hours, and then waiting in long lines to get across. Shelter is often limited, with some refugees staying in tents without enough blankets or socks. 

"Local organisations are focusing on hot drinks, soups and stews to help refugees stay warm, and providing tents with small heaters for people to gather together for heat." 

The public’s incredible generosity has helped to raise over £150 million in a single week for the Disaster Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, including £25 million matched by the UK Government, is an inspiring demonstration of support for people fleeing the conflict.  

Donations to the DEC appeal mean that DEC charities, including Save the Children and Plan International, and their local partners, are able to respond immediately to urgent needs both inside Ukraine and on its borders, and help rebuild lives in the months and years to come. 

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

ENDS 

Notes to Editors: 

Multimedia content available here.  Credit: Amnon Gutman/ Save the Children 

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.