The events in Ukraine are infuriating, but the hope of the people who call the country home is unbreakable. They also contribute to more confidence in these difficult times SOS Children’s Villages who take care of refugees in need. Help is especially crucial now that winter is just around the corner.
“We cannot stop the fighting and prevent the destruction, but we can support the people who are shocked and afraid, who have had to leave their homes, who have had traumatic experiences and who are very worried,” said Serhii Lukashov, head of the SOS -Children’s Villages in Ukraine.
Psychological help in processing trauma
He and his team are currently receiving many requests for psychosocial support and are helping as best they can. the SOS Children’s Villages in Ukraine and neighboring countries support children and families in coming to terms with the trauma of war – an important prerequisite for being able to lead a self-determined life again in the future and to be able to build a livelihood. For most, there is great hope that they will be able to reshape their future in Ukraine, even if this means initially settling in another country, separated from family members left behind.
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The support arrives where it is needed
Despite the risks in the war zone, as well as logistical and personnel difficulties, the SOS Children’s Villages, together with their partners in Ukraine, are committed to supporting the people with everyday necessities, safe accommodation and offers of help. Mobile teams are also traveling around the country to reach those who stayed in the contested areas.
“Two of our sites came under direct military fire, our buildings were destroyed and children, families and employees had to be evacuated,” reports Lukashov. Within a few weeks after the outbreak of war, however, the employees managed to reorganize themselves and join forces with qualified local aid organizations.
“Our wish was to stay together. But we were almost certain that accommodating a total of twelve people in one apartment would be impossible. We are very grateful to the SOS Children’s Villages that we can all live in one house. We feel much more comfortable when we are together and can be there for each other,” says Hanna. She is one of four mothers who found shelter with their children in a shelter run by the organization in Bucharest, Romania.
The winter aggravates the current situation
“We are dealing with a historically new challenge: freezing cold, energy shortages and war at the same time,” says Serhii Lukashov. In the eastern regions of Donetsk, Mykolaiv and Kharkiv in particular, he estimates that half a million more people could flee because it is impossible to repair the damaged heating systems there and to guarantee the electricity and water supply.
The local SOS Children’s Villages distribute warm clothing, blankets and stoves so that children and families in Ukraine can get through the winter safely. Those who have to be evacuated receive support from the organization and foster families also receive a financial subsidy to pay for their rent and fuel.
Thanks to financial donations, six new SOS Children’s Villages social centers have been set up at safe locations since March – and additional staff are also employed there. “Our new employees are mainly professionals who had to flee their home region and deliberately stay in the country to help. They turned their anger into action,” says Lukashov.
The help from the SOS Children’s Villages arrives
Every day, the SOS Children’s Villages team experiences the positive impact their work has on young people all over the world: supporting people in need and offering them a home and protection creates future prospects and hope. The international organization also helps children and families to find solutions even in hopeless situations and to provide psychological support.
For the youngest in particular, cohesion, the feeling of security and a carefree childhood and youth are of inestimable value. Positive experiences in moments of crisis shape life and with their accumulated knowledge and a heart for others they can one day change the world for the better.
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