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How Science is Alleviating Child Poverty in UkraineThe conflict with Russia has dramatically increased child poverty in Ukraine, with the rate doubling to more than 80% in just one year. A promising initiative by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and INSCIENCE now offers displaced children a glimmer of hope.

Child Poverty in Ukraine

As recorded in the Humanitarian Needs Response Plan in 2024, there are 14.6 million people displaced or suffering from poverty in Ukraine and 3.17 million are children. The poverty and risk to the safety of children living in frontline areas across the Russian border are, of course, greater. However, poverty in Ukraine was already a challenge even before the escalation of violence in February 2022.

Educational Disruption and Innovative Solutions

Reports show an increase in poverty in Ukraine from 2021 disproportionally affects households with children in them. As reported by UNICEF, these households suffer most from poor access to basic utilities like electricity, water and heating. 

The war in Ukraine has severely affected children’s education, leading to reliance on online learning as a partial solution. However, the lack of access to essential learning tools like laptops, tablets and internet connectivity, due to the conflict, has compromised the effectiveness of this approach. This decline in educational quality contributes further to the poverty faced by Ukraine’s children. To combat these challenges, UNICEF and INSCIENCE have joined forces to equip children with the necessary resources to handle wartime trauma.

The “Science Kids” Initiative: A Beacon of Hope

The “Science Kids” initiative in Ukraine creates opportunities for children to hone their social skills and navigate the educational hurdles posed by the current conflict. This program not only offers a safe space for learning and creativity but also equips these young minds with strategies to process their trauma and cope with fear and anxiety, providing a semblance of normalcy in tumultuous times.

In Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kharkiv, the “Science Kids” program offers children a respite from the war through science exploration. At these sites, kids engage in learning, experiments and creative projects, such as observing an insect with a magnifying glass and drawing their imaginative insect. This initiative allows them to find some normalcy amidst turmoil.

Child Poverty in Ukraine: Addressing Mental Health

After class, they are then instructed in breathing exercises to help manage stress and anxiety. The coordinator of “Science Kids,” Yuliia Isliamova, spoke of the importance of good breathing exercises, saying it is “a very simple way to deal with anxiety and stress that they can use anywhere and with anyone – for example, with their parents or friends.” 

In addition, engaging with children’s mental health early can prevent the onset of serious psychological effects, thus avoiding its contribution to the cycle of poverty as they grow. Certainly, ending the war in Ukraine would significantly impact efforts to address poverty and child poverty.

Looking Forward

Amidst the backdrop of rising child poverty in Ukraine, initiatives like “Science Kids,” supported by UNICEF and INSCIENCE, offer a beacon of hope and resilience. By fostering educational engagement and mental well-being, these programs provide displaced children with the tools to overcome adversity and envision a brighter future. As the international community continues to support Ukraine, such efforts illuminate the path toward recovery and the potential for lasting change in the lives of its youngest citizens.

– Thomas Field
Photo: Unsplash

Seniors in UkraineThe United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs released a report which focused on the prevalence of poverty among adults aged more than 60. The report states, “In most countries, the risk of poverty increases with age.” This is especially the case for older women and older people with disabilities.

Elderly poverty affects many seniors. War intensifies this in Ukraine. Since the beginning of Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, the rights of older people have been threatened. Seniors in Ukraine have been struggling to gain access to necessities such as food, water and hygienic facilities, all the while coping with the loss of their homes and loved ones. While temporary shelters dedicated to the care of elders have been opened, many of them are inaccessible to those with disabilities, causing many to be turned away. Now, more than ever, older people in Ukraine need aid and “HelpAge International” has made helping them its priority.

Seniors in Ukraine Lack Access to Necessities

It was reported that 56% of older people in Ukraine could not cover the cost of their basic needs, such as food, water, clothes and health care expenses. The cost of living in Ukraine has increased by 27% since the beginning of the conflict. This has only exacerbated the constraints of elderly poverty on Ukraine’s older demographic.

HelpAge International, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of older people worldwide, has sprung into action to combat these issues. More than 14,000 older adults in Ukraine have received monetary assistance from HelpAge. The distributed funds were enough to cover the cost of necessities for three months. On top of this, HelpAge distributed 20,000 hygiene kits and 39,000 food kits to people in Ukraine, which helped alleviate some of the stress brought on by the war and elderly poverty.

Assistance for Seniors With Disabilities in Ukraine

Many Ukrainian seniors with disabilities are facing unique challenges. Due to transportation difficulties, it has become harder for them to evacuate during emergencies. Even after they have been relocated to safer areas of Ukraine, older people with disabilities still struggle to access housing and health care services. There have been reports that many refugee shelters lack ramps, making them inaccessible to individuals who use wheelchairs and thus, they have to be turned away.

HelpAge International has taken the steps to mitigate these issues. Nearly 7,600 older people with disabilities have received assistive products such as canes, toilet chairs, walkers and crutches through the organization. The nonprofit also helped initiate the conversation about the importance of accessible environments. Victoriia Panchenko, a leader within the organization, said HelpAge was happy “to contribute to long-term solutions that will make the environment accessible and age-inclusive and services more adapted to (older people’s) diverse needs.”

Mental Health

The mental impacts of war are difficult to cope with, especially for older people. About 55% of older people in Ukraine reported that the war had an emotional effect on them. They cite reasons such as loneliness, isolation and the loss of loved ones. To provide older people in Ukraine with mental health support, HelpAge International supports numerous community safe spaces across Ukraine. These safe spaces help older people come together and get support for their unique circumstances. They receive psychosocial and legal counseling as well as socialization services.

Conclusion

Elderly poverty can be difficult to navigate, especially during a time of conflict. Right now, older people in Ukraine desperately need humanitarian aid. Thankfully, HelpAge International has provided them with various assistance, from financial to mental health support. There is still a lot to be done as the conflict in Ukraine continues.

– Kimber Peters
Photo: Pexels

Grassroots Humanitarian Efforts In UkraineThe latest estimate from the World Bank put the cost of Ukraine’s recovery at $411 billion. This figure encompasses the expenses associated with rebuilding damaged infrastructure, agriculture, housing and education in the country. The World Bank, as of November 2023, has given $29 billion to support basic social services in Ukraine, with more than $20 billion spent on the salaries of civil servants, teachers, health workers, first responders and pensions.

Furthermore, charitable contributions have also been widespread. In December 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the government-run United24 had raised $500 million from donations across the globe. The significant aid received by Ukraine has led to the impression that the country relies solely on external assistance. However, from the outset, it is crucial to recognize grassroots humanitarian efforts in Ukraine have played a pivotal role in their recovery. 

Civil Society in Ukraine

Vyacheslav Hardikov, a deputy director in the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice, said in October 2023 that since the resumption of the invasion, 9,000 charities and 6,000 public organizations had officially registered with the Ukrainian government. In its 32 years of independence from the Soviet Union, Ukraine has gone through periods of democratization and regression to authoritarianism. When democracy or independence has been perceived as being under threat, participation in grassroots humanitarian efforts has spiked. Thinktank Chatham House has put it that Ukrainians have a “strong sense of autonomy from the state.” 

As of September 2023, a survey by the Center for Insights, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), found that 33% of Ukrainians were volunteering part-time and 6% full-time. Another found that after 18 months of war, 68% of Ukrainians had volunteered in some capacity. The remaining 32% primarily consists of individuals who, for the most part, require assistance. Volunteerism is more prevalent among 18-29-year-olds, with 75.8% actively participating, compared to 49% among those aged 60 or above. Additionally, volunteering was more common among those who reported living well (85.9%) than those who reported barely making ends meet (46.7%). Among the 15,000 new organizations are groups formed spontaneously in reaction to the Russian invasion. Likewise, organizations that already existed altered themselves almost completely to the needs of the war.

Feminist Workshop in Ukraine

Feminist Workshop (FemWork) was formed in Lviv in 2014. For the last decade, Ukrainian women have earned more than 20% less than men, equivalent to $6000. Additionally, two out of three women have experienced gender-motivated violence. Apart from holding workshops and lectures, Femwork was created as a space “that would allow the feminist community of Lviv and Ukraine to feel safe.”

Located near the border with Poland, millions of refugees passed through Lviv. At its height, the city of 700,000 had 100,000 people moving through it daily. Speaking with The Borgen Project, FemWork said that in early 2022, they planned to close due to a lack of funding. “But when a full-scale war started, our community organized itself.”

Like thousands of others in Lviv, FemWork found refugee beds in their friends’ apartments, gave out food and clothes and helped at the train station. A psychological support workshop was revived on the night of the invasion. “Then there was no time to think, doubt or fear,” FemWork said. “Each of us did everything we could and even more.”

With Ukraine’s GDP dropping by more than 30% and poverty rising from 5.5% to 24% in 2022, what was once the basics of living have become out-of-reach for millions of Ukrainians. The 51% of 60-year-olds who had not volunteered are often pensioners with no means to move or find alternative income. FemWork coming to help grannies, as they put it, reflected that with food and medicine prices rising, the “pensions of many elderly women don’t come close to covering their basic needs.”

Trouble Getting International Help

Ukrainians have faced difficulties in receiving assistance from international organizations due to their large size. The bureaucratic processes they are obligated to employ are often impossible for ordinary people to navigate, let alone those who have been forced from their homes, leaving passports and documents behind. “We often work with elderly people who don’t even know how to use a phone,” FemWork told The Borgen Project, “so it’s obvious that they are afraid to send their documents to someone or they don’t even understand what is required of them.” People need help getting to the help waiting for them. In other words, “(We) go to the bank with them, help collect documents, defend their rights to receive assistance, explain what is required of them and what personal information is safe to transfer.”

Grassroots humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, in tandem with funding from international organizations, have been able to meet some of the daily needs of the Ukrainian people, during a time of instability and war within the country. 

– Frederick Lake
Photo: Flickr

Poverty in UkraineSince the initial Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, the Eastern European country has continued to struggle with hardship and new obstacles. The harsh effects of war have had a significant impact on poverty in Ukraine, with an estimated 23,000 civilian casualties in the first six months of intense conflict. Additionally, the conflict has destroyed vital infrastructures and social services such as schools and hospitals, leading to a scarcity of food, water and essential medical supplies.

The Impacts of Poverty in Ukraine

As of February 2023, 8.1 million Ukrainians have fled as refugees to other European countries, with an additional 5.4 million Ukrainians internally displaced due to the conflict. The catastrophic effect of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has resulted in a significant increase in Ukraine’s poverty rate, rising from 5.5% to 24.1% in 2022, pushing about 7.1 million more Ukrainians into poverty. This increase in the poverty rate has fundamentally reverted 15 years’ worth of the nation’s efforts against poverty.

So far, the war in Ukraine has not only had economic impacts on the country but also around the world. Russia, in particular, has suffered a significant and direct impact from its invasion of Ukraine. As of 2023, the economic strains of military operations and the subsequent crisis in the Russian economy have resulted in more than 9% of children in Russia experiencing poverty. In 2022, there was an increase in the number of the Russian population suffering from poverty, with 4.8% of adults and 9.2% of children falling into poverty due to the ongoing economic crisis in the nation.

Global Impacts of the Crisis in Ukraine

Further, the blockade of Ukrainian grain exports has had far-reaching consequences on East African nations like Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, leading to a surge in famine. In 2022, an estimated 20 million people in the region found themselves in poverty and lacked access to food. Although these three nations constitute only 2% of the world’s population, they account for 70% of the global population severely affected by food insecurity.

The conflict in Ukraine has led to a decrease in grain exports, which has contributed to famine in East Africa. This conflict has also caused an increase in poverty. However, there are ongoing efforts to improve living conditions in Ukraine. The ongoing efforts include initiatives by individuals, nonprofit organizations and support from various governments. These actions have played a valuable role in addressing the economic challenges in the country.

Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine

As of 2023, the World Bank has allocated $38 million as an emergency fund to address the situation in Ukraine. In collaboration with various world governments, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, the European Union (EU) and Japan, the World Bank aims to combat poverty in Ukraine through reconstruction efforts and providing emergency supplies of food, water and essential services.

In September 2023, during Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Canada, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $650 million worth of aid to Ukraine. This allocation comes in addition to the existing $4.85 billion loan assistance to revitalize and stabilize the nation’s economy. Additionally, Canada has contributed $352.5 million in humanitarian assistance, focusing on providing essential needs such as water, shelter and food to address the escalating requirements in war-torn Ukraine.

The Importance of Individual Efforts

While the efforts of world governments and private organizations have made a tremendous difference in reducing poverty in Ukraine, numerous individual initiatives around the globe have also left a lasting impact. One notable individual initiative was spearheaded by Nils Laacks in Toronto, Canada. Moved by the war in Ukraine and its devastating effects on the local population, Laacks, who had close friends in the country, began a fundraising campaign. His approach involved selling artwork created by Maria, the 7-year-old niece of his close friend Maksim, who had unfortunately become internally displaced due to the ongoing conflict.

“I was looking for different ways to help my friend and soon had the idea of starting an online shop with his 7-year-old niece’s cute drawings,” Laacks told The Borgen Project. “I definitely was surprised how little money Ukrainians were making. The average annual income in Ukraine was between $5,000 and $6,000, around $500 per month. The war led to a dramatic increase in the inflation rate in the country, so many items became unaffordable for the average Ukrainian citizen. Especially in the first year of the war, the shelves of many stores were empty, which further exacerbated the situation,” stated Laacks.

By establishing his fundraising initiative on Etsy, Laacks has accumulated a remarkable 529 sales of Maria’s drawings, featuring vibrant depictions of animals and heart-shaped Ukrainian flags. His intention was straightforward – he aimed to financially support his friend Maksim’s family through the adorable artwork of his niece, Maria. The funds raised by Laacks not only facilitated the payment of rent for a new apartment for Maria’s family in Ukraine but also played a crucial role in aiding other Ukrainians in desperate need.

Laacks has also spent a vast amount of time raising awareness of the situation in Ukraine on social media. “I spent three months promoting this around the clock. I sent hundreds of DMs on Twitter targeting influencers with a large following. I also emailed numerous media outlets to raise awareness of Maria and the precarious situation of many Ukrainians,” He stated.

Further, Laacks believes that each individual can initiate a substantial social change and that the actions of individuals are crucial when attempting to tackle obstacles such as poverty. “I believe that we can all make a change. Before this effort, I was actually skeptical of the impact that one person can have. But due to the viral nature of social media, I learned that everyone can make a difference,” he told The Borgen Project.

Conclusion

While reducing poverty in Ukraine remains a difficult task, Laacks’ story illustrates the importance of individual initiatives in making a meaningful impact. By actively advocating for social change, raising awareness and supporting those in need, individuals can offer practical solutions to pressing problems.

– Remigius Kim
Photo: Flickr

Education in UkraineThe war in Ukraine, initiated by Russia’s invasion in November 2022, has inflicted severe consequences on the lives and education of numerous children. UNICEF reports indicate that more than 5 million children have encountered disruptions to their education as a result of the conflict. This further compounds the challenges already presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and the prior war in eastern Ukraine. Moreover, the war has led to the displacement of more than 6 million Ukrainians, including approximately 665,000 students and more than 25,000 educators. These individuals now face difficulties accessing education services in their host countries or regions. The aforementioned accounts underscore that the impact of the war on education extends beyond a humanitarian crisis; it also jeopardizes the future of an entire generation of Ukrainians, who may endure learning setbacks and diminished prospects.

The Impact of War on Education in Ukraine

The war has left children without the necessary education. During wartime, schools and other educational facilities became targets of Russian attacks. According to the official report of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 3,246 educational institutions, including kindergartens and universities have been damaged. In Eastern Ukraine, the destruction is most significant. The most affected educational institutions are in the Zaporizhzhia region where Russians destroyed 175 institutions. Russian troops tore down 69 institutions in the Donetsk region, 52 in the Kharkiv region and 23 in the Kherson region.

Air raid sirens during the day force pupils to go to the basement and continue studying there. When classes are online there are problems with the Internet due to regular blackouts. The situation in the east of Ukraine is unstable. Russians force Ukrainian teachers to conduct classes in Russian language and narrative. As a result, parents preferably choose not to let their children go to classes.

Ongoing Efforts

As a part of a solution to help maintain an educational level in the country, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine launched an initiative that aims to support children and parents and ensure that every kid gets an opportunity to learn. UNICEF also made provisions for 1,000 schools across Ukraine and help each one get ready for the winter period.

Ukrainian volunteers together with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine have launched SchoolToGo. The project is offering free online school classes to everyone from 1st to 11th grade. The lessons developed by the teachers and psychologists are fully accredited and comply with a basic school program. Also, SchoolToGo offers psychological support for children if they need it. SchoolToGo defines its mission as “so that every Ukrainian child, with the help of our platform, gets into a class with Ukrainian-speaking teachers and classmates again, and does not feel lonely.”

Looking Ahead

Despite the devastating impact of the war in Ukraine on education, ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, and volunteers aim to provide support and opportunities for children. Initiatives like “Together to Study” and SchoolToGo offer shelter goods, winter preparation and free online school classes to ensure access to education. These projects prioritize the well-being and academic development of Ukrainian children, striving to overcome the challenges posed by the conflict and promote a sense of community.

– Anna Konovalenko
Photo: Flickr

Charities in UkraineSince the beginning of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, poverty has increased with 25% of Ukrainians now living in poverty. According to a recent study by the World Health Organization and Ukraine’s Ministry of Health in 2022, 22% of people could not obtain the medication they need. About 7% of the country’s existing homes are destroyed, and millions of people are currently without electricity and water. The government of Ukraine is asking for help from international organizations and charities, as 60% of Ukraine’s budget is currently going toward defense and military expenses. Here are five charities in Ukraine.

5 Charities in Ukraine During the War

  1. AIDRom. The Inter-Church AID Department Romania has helped refugees and asylum seekers since 1991, in collaboration with the Christian Churches of Romania. The charity has offered counseling and legal help since the start of the Ukrainian refugee crisis. The charity is providing public assistance and is donating vouchers for food and hygiene, helping more than 2,000 Ukrainian people who are crossing the Romanian border. AIDRom is providing medical assistance and integration of the culture. They are implementing projects for children in order to respect their culture, such as the delivery of gifts for St. Nick’s Day which is a common tradition in Ukraine. In December 2022 they organized a Christmas performance where refugee children from Ukraine sang traditional songs of both Ukraine and Romania. This project helped 30,000 Ukrainian refugees.
  2. CARE. CARE is another charity operating in Ukraine, supporting vulnerable people, particularly women. It has partnerships in Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Ukraine. Volunteers are offering food, water, sleeping gear and protection from violence.  The latest report from December 19, 2022, highlighted that CARE has helped 605,000 people with food, 214,000 people with basic hygiene needs and water and 43,000 people with shelter. The organization also provided school kits to 7,200 kids in 2022.
  3. Samaritan’s Purse. Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian organization that started its work in helping people in 1970. It is working in partnership with more than 3,000 churches in Ukraine, transporting food and non-food supplies to poor people. During the first year of its work, the charity helped almost 12 million people and donated 100 million pounds of food. Samaritan’s Purse did 35 airlift missions, delivering more than 30 million liters of water, medical items and hygiene kits. They collaborated with the hospitals in Lviv, helping 23,500 patients. The organization helped 2,000 families with electricity, providing them with stoves and firewood.
  4. Doctors without Borders. Doctors without Borders (DWB) is an organization that provides medical tools and support to disadvantaged people, affected by conflicts, exclusion and natural disasters. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Doctors without Borders started to deliver primary health care tools and certified doctors. DWB’s focus is on surgery and emergencies, but the organization also delivers medicine for people with persistent illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. DWB is active in 13 Ukrainian cities, delivering 408 metric tons of medicinal equipment with the support of more than 800 volunteers.
  5. DobrobatDobrobat is a charity operating in Ukraine that focuses its work on reconstruction. The charity does not repair entirely the damaged structures or houses in Ukraine, but their volunteers specialize in rapid recovery, which is the initial reconstruction, such as repairing wrecked roofs and broken windows and walls. Its purpose is to ensure that people have a shelter that protects them from the cold winter. In December 2022 the organization completed construction work at 35 sites, with the help of 430 volunteers across Ukraine.

Final Thoughts

These are just five of the numerous charities that are operating in Ukraine during the war. They are providing psychological and medical support as well as food and water supplies to those who need it the most.

– Elena Luisetto
Photo: Flickr

Poverty in Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 and has resulted in thousands of deaths and casualties on both sides. The attacks left 8 million people displaced in Ukraine by May 2022 and 7.8 million Ukrainians fleeing the country as of November 2022. With more than 250 days of the invasion, Ukrainians are likely to live with a blackout until at least March 2022, the EU will give a further £2.2 billion to help with the reconstruction of the country and the Word Health Organization (WHO) warned that Ukraine’s health system is “facing its darkest days in the war so far.” All of the factors have undoubtedly increased the poverty rate in Ukraine to 25% and future estimates it could be rising to 55% or more by the end of 2023.

Increase in Poverty

The damage that the war inflicted on infrastructure and the economy has obviously increased Ukraine’s poverty. The unemployment rate has increased and is currently at 35% and over months some workers have seen their incomes reduced by as much as 50%. World Bank Eastern Europe Regional Country Director Arup Banerji stated that “As winter really starts biting, certainly by December or January, there may be another internal wave of migration, of internally displaced persons.” As a result of the displacement of more people from their houses and fewer jobs available, the poverty rate in Ukraine will worsen as Russia’s invasion continues.

COVID-19

The WHO and Ukraine’s Ministry of Health announced that 22% of people in the country are struggling to access essential health care and COVID-19 spreading with 23,000 new cases reported since October 2022. With a low vaccination rate minus booster, millions of Ukrainians are not immune to it which has therefore led to an increase in cases. UNICEF delivered 2.3 million doses of the vaccine through the U.S. government for distribution in 23 regions of Ukraine. Recently, the Biden administration wrote a letter to Congress requesting $38 billion to help Ukraine with efforts, with $9 billion going towards COVID-19 vaccine access and long-term research.

Infrastructure Damage

Within recent weeks, Russian missiles and drones have struck 40% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure that have created blackouts across the country. Eighty percent of Kyiv residents have been deprived of water and 350,000 homes have lost all power. The World Bank believes that Ukraine needs $349 billion to reconstruct the country. The process of cleaning and clearing explosive remains of war will need $11 billion in the next two years and $62 billion in the next 10 years. Other costs such as the rebuilding of roads, schools and hospitals will need more funding and could take away from the government supporting residents then lead others into poverty, increasing the rate after the ending of the invasion.

Solutions

Ukraine has received military assistance from other countries, the U.S. is the largest provider having committed $19.3 billion since the start of the Biden Administration. The Disaster Emergency Committee has helped 248,000 people in six months with food aid and opened 200 centers for displaced people. Similarly, the British Red Cross launched its appeal and described how it would use people’s donations. For example, £20 “could provide five blankets to families taking shelter.” Since its launch, the organization has helped 5 million people with emergency relief and 8 million with access to clean water.

Looking Ahead

The poverty rate in Ukraine has worsened significantly as it faces the impact of war. The country will need a complete rebuild that could cost more than $500 billion and leaves people in life-altering situations without homes and jobs. Russia’s invasion does not have an end date, it will continue to damage the economy and more importantly ruin the lives of Ukrainians.

– Mohamed Hassan
Photo: Flickr