Ukraine Conflict: Common Needs from Ukrainian Families on Both Sides

As Ukraine marks the third year of conflict, SOS Children’s Villages finds common needs for families on both sides of the dispute

Andriy Chuprikov is the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Ukraine. In 2014, SOS Ukraine launched an emergency program to help children and families affected by the conflict in eastern Luhansk and Donetsk or who fled to other parts of the country. The conflict escalated in March and April 2014 and sporadic fighting continues.

Mr Chuprikov provides further insights on the emergency program in his answers to questions below.  For more information on how SOS Children's Villages is responding in Ukraine and how you can help, please click here.

Q:  The UN’s top relief official says the humanitarian situation in Ukraine has deteriorated over the past year, with 3.8 million civilians now in need of help. What impact are you seeing on children after three years of conflict and uncertainty?

A:

The quality of life of families with children sharply deteriorated during the armed conflict, especially in the ‘grey zone’ that lies outside Ukrainian control. In addition, the lack of permanent jobs has a negative impact on the financial security of families, and it affects the ability of parents and caregivers to provide the food and health care their children need.

The departure of health workers from the conflict zone to other regions of Ukraine has led to a catastrophic medical care situation for children. A diagnosis can take up to two months, during which time the health of the child is deteriorating and he or she may get the wrong medication. Most of the diagnostic equipment is no longer accessible in some areas and it takes time and money to travel to cities – such as Kharkiv – to get quality diagnostic service. The state does not provide these services free of charge.

In the ‘grey zone’ districts of Stanichno-Luhansky, Novoaydarsky and Popasnjansky, there is a complete absence of specialists such as neurologists and opticians. There are no maternity wards. It is not always possible for pregnant women to get to a maternity ward in time to deliver a baby. And when mothers and newborns return to remote villages, they are often cut off from the medical support and other assistance they need.

One of our concerns is that up to now there is no legislative provision for children affected by the armed conflict, despite the advocacy of NGOs, including SOS Children’s Villages. Child protection mechanisms and operational assistance schemes have not been clarified, and no response plan has yet been developed in the event of an escalation in the conflict.

Q:  How does SOS Children’s Villages decide on what children and families it helps, given the large numbers who are affected and the growing need for assistance?

A:

Our organization is the only one on either side of the demarcation line – not only among international organisations, but also among governmental agencies – that provides long-term comprehensive support for families and an assessment of the needs of each family. We provide all kinds of services related to the care and protection of children and their families, including humanitarian aid. This approach allows us to help stabilise families facing serious challenges. Throughout these difficult times, we have established ourselves as a reliable and stable partner for families with children, giving many of them a sense of stability, security and safety.

Q:  Tell us more about what SOS Children’s Villages does to help?

A:

We help families who are in the most vulnerable categories:

• Internally displaced families who have problems with health, housing, employment, access preschool and education;
• Families where the mother or father is bringing up their children on their own and need external support;
• Families who are caring for children who have lost biological parents or are otherwise deprived of parental care.

We help these families in several important ways. Whenever possible, we work to keep children in their biological family and provide support for a favourable, stable and secure family environment that promotes the development of the child. In addition, we help to meet the basic needs of children of all ages by helping ensure they have a healthy and balanced diet, clothing, shoes and other day-to-day needs. And third, we work to provide affordable and quality health care and diagnostics.

Q:  You mention that SOS Children’s Villages is the only international organization operating on both sides of the Luhansk demarcation line. What challenges do you face working in such an environment?

A: 

Our program in Luhansk, in the area outside of Ukrainian government control, is complicated by a diffuse regulatory and legislative framework. With regard to the protection of children's rights, the Ukrainian legislation is partially used, and partly the Russian laws are used. Defending the interests of children in this area depends on the credibility of our organisation, and the local authorities continue to take our advice into account, and we defend the right of children to grow up in a caring family environment. As the only international NGO working here directly with children and families, our Luhansk program goes through an annual review of our psychological, social, education and family-support program. But it is important to note that in both the areas governed by Ukraine and the areas not under its control, we are seeing similar levels of family anxiety, depression and fatigue from the protracted conflict.

Q:  There were recent clashes in Donetsk. Unlike Luhansk, SOS Children’s Villages has no programmes in Donetsk but the humanitarian need is still great. Are you considering extending our emergency response to this region?

A: 

There are a lot of children in the Donetsk region who are at risk and families are remaining in their homes, despite the escalating conflict, because they do not have a place to go. There is also a shortage of social services. The Donetsk regional authorities and the Ministry of Social Policy have said there is a need to create, support and train specialists to help marginalised families and those in difficult circumstances. If it is possible to find funding, SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine is ready to extend our activities to the Donetsk region.