Ukraine Crisis Enters Fourth Year: Children Facing Intensifying Hardship

• Relief
• Ukraine

The crisis in Ukraine has now entered its fourth year, with no sign of easing. Conditions further deteriorated in 2025. According to a recent United Nations report, as of February 2026, more than 9 million people forced from their homes and living in displacement. In situations of conflict, children are often the most affected, bearing the heaviest consequences.

One in five children has lost a family member or close friend since the escalation of hostilities. Since the conflict began, at least 16 children have been killed or injured every week. As casualties rise and displacement becomes prolonged, essential infrastructure has been severely damaged. Many families endure harsh winters without electricity, heating, or access to clean water. Beyond the loss of loved ones and safe shelter, interrupted education has placed 4.6 million children at risk of missing out on schooling. In 2025 alone, 340 schools were damaged or destroyed.

We recognise that the psychological impact of violence on children is profound and long-lasting. The trauma experienced today will shape their futures. Between 2022 and 2025, World Vision established 225 Child-Friendly Spaces, reaching nearly 130,000 children with safe places to play and learn. Through child protection and education programmes, more than 460,000 children have been supported and empowered. These initiatives enable children to continue learning and playing, while receiving psychosocial support to help them cope with trauma and stress.

“I am very afraid of the explosions. But when I come to the Child-Friendly Space, it feels different. My heart becomes calm. We draw our feelings, play together, and the teachers listen to us.” — Mark, age 8, Dnipro

We also support caregivers through livelihoods assistance, emergency cash aid, and psychosocial services, helping families remain resilient in the face of crisis. Since 2022, World Vision has provided multipurpose cash and winter assistance to more than 730,000 people, enabling families to meet their essential needs with dignity and flexibility.

Four years on, World Vision continues to stand alongside affected communities, working closely with local partners to deliver life-saving assistance. Our response spans education, child protection, mental health and psychosocial support, livelihoods training, and cash assistance. To date, we have reached 2.3 million people in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, including more than 1 million children.