Russia’s war against Ukraine is having a devastating impact on children and families. More than 7 million children are estimated to be affected, having suffered violence, loss of family members, displacement and disrupted education. Many children were separated from their families and communities, leaving lasting effects on their mental health. Severe losses and disruptions in their lives have led to high rates of depression and anxiety among war-affected children.
Prevent, protect and secure children in Ukraine: and the future they dream of is a project funded by ERIKS Development Partner and implemented by the Association of Social Workers in Romania (ASproAS) in cooperation with the Department of Social Work at the Ivan Ohienko National University of Ukraine .
This meaningful project aims to support children affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine by giving them the tools and support they need to imagine a better world and develop healthy social interactions that promote mental health and build social connections. The project also focuses on staff working in existing social support structures to develop better tools to help children.
In the first months of this year, our team worked with more than 260 children displaced from war zones in villages or towns in the Khmelnytskyi region.
On June 1, we marked the beginning of a series of activities aimed at educating children about their rights. This initiative, led by social workers and social pedagogues from the Department of Social Welfare, targets children in war zones as well as those in host communities.
The project offers children holistic social integration support through:
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Programs designed to enhance children’s ability to adapt and recover from adversity by developing skills such as problem solving, social interactions and emotional regulation
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Creating child-friendly spaces where children can play, learn and receive support in a safe environment
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Providing counseling and resources to families to help them support their children
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Structured play activities to help children express themselves and work through trauma in a safe environment
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Providing children with educational and humanitarian support
Despite the children’s enthusiasm, our needs assessment that included more than 260 children this year revealed a worrying gap: none of the children received tailored support services to help them cope with the trauma and challenges they face. This underscores the critical need for the continued efforts of ERIKS Development Partner and ASproAS, emphasizing the importance of our mission to provide comprehensive support tailored to the needs of these vulnerable children.
From February 2022, ERIKS Development Partner and ASproAS are working in cooperation with a European community project, which includes the european community of social workers IFSW Europe, to help children affected by war. Significant progress has been made in helping children express themselves and work through trauma in a safe environment.
In 2024, social workers and social educators are working together to strengthen children’s participation in decision-making about their journey through services such as health, education and social care.
