On February 24, 2022, Russian troops invaded parts of eastern Ukraine. Over a year later, there have been around 8,000 civilian deaths and nearly 14,000 injuries. Of these fatalities, 500 were children. When the conflict started, nearly 20% of Ukraine’s population fled. Over 5 million children are currently displaced, either outside their home country or in Ukraine, in danger because of the continuing war.
Far from a typical high school experience, teens in Ukraine will have endured extreme and dangerous situations that may leave them with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. This war has had detrimental effects on education, mental health, and leaves many without a stable and consistent home.
Many families have opted for virtual or hybrid methods of education. However, the conflict has left the infrastructure in Ukraine severely damaged. The damage to electricity and energy has made accessing the internet and online school difficult for most families.
At the beginning of the war, many thought the conflict would be over quickly. However, with the continuing conflict, providing an education for these children has become increasingly critical. Of the children who evacuated Ukraine, 2 out of 3 are yet to be enrolled in school within their host countries. The overriding issue is providing early education which is vital to develop necessary social skills for early childhood.
Many mental health issues arise without the structured and safe environment that schools provide for children. The conflict has taken away stability, safety, school, friends, family, and a home from Ukrainian children. Mental health issues arising now could persist well into adulthood. War can cause or worsen anxiety and lower the condition of living. Supporting children and teens and providing resources to build resilience and nurturing care is crucial to healing the mental wounds that war causes.
Because of the mass evacuation of Ukraine, many children and teens do not have a controlled home environment. Refugees have found protection in many European countries and are attempting to find jobs and create a new life. For teens, this dynamic lifestyle is not beneficial for development.
Children and teens require structure to mature. A structured life is essential to improve decision-making and allow for the development of influential adults. Growing up without a home and moving around can lead to mental health problems and reduced decision-making skills.
Some of the top issues following the war are being addressed now by UNICEF, or the United Nations Children’s Fund. UNICEF is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. The first and most prevalent issue they are addressing consists of social protection or helping families or individuals cope with crisis, shock, find jobs, and improve productivity. The next topic of discussion is child protection. UNICEF aims to protect children from exploitation, abuse, neglect, harmful practices, and violence. Another category is education. As mentioned earlier, education is crucial to development, and restricted access to education has been a serious issue arising from the war. In response, UNICEF is funding access to social and emotional learning for children of all ages. Another tier is water, sanitation, and hygiene. Many refugees may struggle to access these necessities. Millions of people are receiving access to fresh water and personal hygiene products. The last focus is health. UNICEF is funding vaccinations and providing primary care for refugees across Europe.
For children and teens living in Ukraine or refugees living in Europe, their lives have changed drastically in the past two years. Issues such as access to education, problems with mental health, and a struggle to grow up in a changing and potentially dangerous environment are arising. Funds are attempting to relieve these problems. However, it’s fundamental to understand what Ukrainians have gone through because of this war and how it has affected teens.