SOS Children’s Villages welcomes announcement of Canadian aid for Ukraine and neighbouring countries
The situation is particularly desperate for the 160,000 Ukrainian children who live in alternative care settings such as orphanages and boarding schools. Under the current crisis, institutions are becoming alarmingly understaffed and challenged to provide primary care, psycho-social support, and assistance to children with disabilities. As a result, children in these settings are exposed to a heightened risk of violence and neglect and are isolated with very low chances to be evacuated.
The humanitarian needs are immense, and Canada’s leadership is welcome as we work to address the needs of children and families caught in this catastrophe. Together with our Canadian and international partners, SOS Children’s Villages is scaling up its response in the region to help provide relocation assistance, safe shelter, health care, food assistance, mental health support, protection from harm, and family reunification.
SOS Children’s Villages has been working in Ukraine since 2003, supporting children and families in the Kyiv region and providing humanitarian assistance in response to the 2014 conflict. We will continue our work in Ukraine as long as it takes—to save lives, reduce suffering, reunify and strengthen families, and maintain dignity among crisis-affected Ukrainians.
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For more information:
Tanja Kisslinger, Program Communications, SOS Children’s Villages Canada, t.kisslinger@soschildrensvillages.ca
About SOS Children’s Villages:
Founded in 1969, SOS Children’s Villages Canada is a member of the SOS Children’s Villages International federation. SOS Children’s Villages is dedicated to protecting children and advancing their rights in a 137 countries and territories. We believe that children deserve more than just survival. They have a right to grow up in a safe and caring family environment, giving them the best chance of a secure future. Using a holistic approach, we work to empower vulnerable children, families, and communities to ensure children’s rights are met. Through programs focused on child protection, education, health, nutrition, women’s economic empowerment and humanitarian responses, SOS Children’s Villages serves over 1 million people annually. Learn more: www.soschildrensvillages.ca