Four Years On: 1 in 3 Ukrainian Children Now in Need of Humanitarian Assistance

KYIV (February 23, 2026) – Four years into the war in Ukraine, children continue to face growing harm to their safety and future. Today, one in three children now require humanitarian assistance, as sustained exposure to violence, displacement, family separation and the erosion of essential services continue to shape their daily lives. 

In 2025, civilian harm reached some of its highest levels since the onset of the war. Between  March 1 and May 31 of last year, the number of children killed or injured increased by more than 200% compared to the previous quarter, reflecting escalating risks as hostilities intensified. 

“The prolonged war has created a multi-dimensional protection emergency affecting every aspect of childhood – from safety and education to mental health and family stability,” said Arman Grigoryan, World Vision Ukraine Crisis Response Director. “Repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure have damaged and destroyed homes, schools, healthcare facilities and energy systems, severely limiting children’s access to essential services and safe spaces.” 

Renewed and intensified attacks have driven additional waves of displacement, with more than 3.4 million people currently internally displaced. The majority are women and children, placing enormous strain on caregivers and increasing protection risks, including family separation, exploitation and neglect. 

Mass displacement continues to separate children from parents and extended family networks. Separated children are among the most vulnerable, facing heightened risks of violence, abuse and harmful coping mechanisms. Across Ukraine, children have critical protection needs and require sustained access to child protection, mental health and gender-based violence services. 

“I moved. I lost my friends, my school, my plans. Then my loved ones, and my dad left for the frontline,” said Kateryna, 17, displaced from Kharkiv and now living in Kyiv. “More than anything, I hope children in other countries never, ever have to experience this.” 

Education continues to be severely disrupted. In 2025 alone, more than 340 schools have been damaged or destroyed, bringing the total number of affected educational facilities to over 4,300  since February 2022. Persistent insecurity and infrastructure damage have undermined safe access to learning and deprived children of stability and routine. 

As war persists, these intersecting risks continue to compound. A fourth winter of conflict is further limiting access to education, psychosocial support and protection services. 

A recent World Vision rapid assessment found that access to protection and mental health services remains critically limited. Only 28% of households surveyed reported that children were able to access support from NGOs or UN agencies, leaving 72% without structured child protection or mental health services at a time of heightened vulnerability. 

Repeated displacement compounds these challenges. Ninety-two percent of surveyed households reported being displaced multiple times since the start of the war, with one in five forced to move again due to harsh winter conditions. 

“I’ve lost my husband in the war and now I am raising three children alone,” said Hanna, displaced from Donetsk region. “We are surviving month to month on humanitarian support. With a baby at home, I cannot work.” 

Since March 2022, World Vision has reached more than 2.3 million people affected by the war, including over one million children. Operating in 21 of Ukraine’s 24 regions, the response includes food assistance, cash support, child protection services, education programming, livelihoods support and mental health care. 

To date, World Vision has: 

• Protected and empowered 462,436 children through protection and education initiatives 

• Supported 126,592 children through 225 child-friendly spaces 

• Reached 236,957 people with psychosocial support services 

• Delivered education support to 280,062 children 

• Provided cash assistance to 735,828 people, distributing more than US$97 million 

• Reached 607,245 people with life-saving food assistance 

• Supported 573,266 people with essential non-food items 

World Vision calls on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilian infrastructure, and ensure safe, unhindered humanitarian access so that children and families can receive the assistance and protection they urgently need. 

About World Vision: 

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visit worldvision.org or follow on X, formerly known as Twitter, @WorldVisionUSA.