Why Ukraine's children desperately need more than shelter and food
Ukraine's children will have their more immediate needs taken care of during Russia's invasion, but mental health care and school access are crucial too.
There are two things that Ukraine needs right now. First, this deadly war of attrition and destruction must end. Second, the younger generations of Ukrainians must be healthy, educated, resilient and ready to take on the enormous task of rebuilding their country.
I can’t comment on what it would take to bring lasting peace to the region, though my friends with relevant expertise say it’s at least possible. But I do know a good deal about what Ukraine’s children and youth will need, starting right now.
The tough reality is that the region’s health care and rehabilitation systems, its schools and social support capacities, which were stretched prior to the war, are struggling to keep up with needs.
Since the war began, UNICEF estimates that nearly two-thirds of Ukraine’s children have been evacuated from eastern cities under siege to relatively safe havens like Lviv in the west of the country or outside Ukraine altogether in host countries, predominantly Poland.
I traveled to the region in April and May, eager to see for myself what it’s like on the ground in this very grave crisis for millions of Ukrainian children.
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