10 million Ukrainians have been displaced since the conflict began. (6.5 million people are internally displaced and 3.5 million people have crossed international borders out of Ukraine as refugees)  The European Union expects the movement of families and children both within Ukraine and across borders to continue in the coming weeks.

The damaging impact of war on children and their families is both immediate and long lasting. War impacts children’s immediate needs such as food, sanitation, shelter, health and it exposes them to physical, emotional and psychological violence. The trauma of war and conflict presents long-term negative impacts on the mental and physical health of children, particularly in the absence of healthy, family-based care.

We are in solidarity with all those seeking a peaceful outcome to this conflict and we support the demands for safe humanitarian corridors to regions outside of the conflict. We recommend safe and legal pathways to be found for those fleeing the conflict so that families and children are able to reach a safe environment.

We recognise that existing systems both in Ukraine and neighbouring countries are under immense strain due to the conflict. However, it is critical, even in the midst of war and conflict, that policy makers are appropriately informed so that they can respond to civilians’ needs; ensuring that all families and children access social, economic and civic rights without any discrimination based on race, nationality, cultural background or socio-economic status.

Family Separation

The displacement of families both internally and across borders can lead to children being involuntarily separated from their families during the chaos of evacuation. The longer a child is separated from his/her family, the more vulnerable they become to violence, abuse and exploitation. As adults join the armed forces and groups, children may be placed in the care of others or sent to places of safety away from their parents. Some vulnerable children are already not in the care of their families and are in either foster care or state care. These children may lack the support and the necessary documentation to ensure a safe passage outside of the conflict zone. Such children are exposed to higher risks of trauma, and increased vulnerabilities

Local CSOs are well placed to respond and support families, particularly the most vulnerable. During a state of crisis it is crucial that government institutions, professionals, local CSOs and families work together in a coordinated response.

Ukraine has one of the highest numbers of children in institutions (more than 100k), making them acutely vulnerable to the conflict. Many of these children have a registered disability. Government institutions and civil society should avoid building or expanding institutional care as a response and, instead ensure that the wider care system is well supported during and after this crisis, providing alternatives for care that allow children to grow up in safe and caring family–based environments.

Children must be consulted about the care options available to them. Wherever possible the child’s family of origin should be contacted and included in any care decisions.

Tracing, reintegration and reunification efforts need to be resourced and informed by local CSOs knowledge, relationships with communities and trust that has been fostered over years of collaboration. The Reintegration of children needs to be safe and follow internationally recognised guidelines to ensure safe, carefully assessed, supported and sustained reunification of children with their carers. (See: Reintegration guidelines here and the specific guidance for rapid reintegration of separated children here)

The Covid-19 crisis placed many families under extreme stress. The war will lead to families in Ukraine experiencing external shocks that will further disrupt the family construct. Families will need support to reduce stress and anxiety through trauma-informed psychosocial care during these unprecedented times. 

We need to recognise that any social protection and broader support offered to families and children needs to take into consideration that children might be in extended family based care and any such carers need to be included in any support provided.

Whilst we recognise the good faith behind the movement of children in institutions to Ukraine’s neighbouring countries for safety, it is critical for all actors to ensure the safety, protection and care of these children, grounded in basic child rights principles that focus on the best interests of the child, and ensures prevention of family separation as not all children in institutions are necessarily orphans. Any movement of children outside of their family environment either within borders or across borders must be coordinated, documented and registered with relevant authorities. This is crucial to avoid unnecessary separation, to facilitate rapid reintegration and to reduce the risk of lost children and worse trafficking. 

The trafficking of children, under normal circumstances, is a grave concern. During this crisis, local CSOs connected to communities and international agencies should strive to support and aid State agencies to prevent trafficking of particularly vulnerable children, such as children in institutions, care leavers and children outside of family care. These groups of children are often at a higher risk of exposure to drug abuse, sexual violence, manipulation and long-term psychological and physical harm.

It is vital that families and children with disabilities, including those in institutions, are protected and given equal access to all relief efforts. Children with disabilities are in normal times often placed in institutions as the solution for their care and protection and we call upon civil society actors, government institutions and community leaders to seek family-based solutions wherever possible and ensure their safety and access to food, health care, shelter and care during this crisis.

All support to families and children needs to be in accordance with the guidelines from the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine (issued 12/03/2022).

We recommend that all stakeholders responding to the crisis in Ukraine and neighbouring countries leverage the invaluable knowledge, expertise and long-standing relationships with communities and children that local CSOs have fostered over decades of collaboration, to guarantee the safety and protection of children caught up in this crisis.

For more information on our work on children on the move, protection of children against sexual violence, domestic violence and kinship care and responses to care reform, sign up to our Changemakers platform at https://changemakersforchildren.community/home. Family for Every Child also hosts the Child Protection in Humanitarian Alliances on our digital platform, with relevant resources.