Ukraine’s war-traumatized children need our support
Feb. 24, 2023, marked the one-year anniversary of the devastating and destructive war in Ukraine. A new report, Ukraine Crisis: One year of Conflict, and Children Believe campaign warns approximately 17 million people need humanitarian assistance and the education of five million children has been disrupted.
Living in conflict threatens a child’s future. Violence, exploitation, lack of access to health care and disrupted learning are a handful of risks and harsh realities. Access to education is not only a human right, but a necessity for achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty — a position innocent children living in conflict zones often find themselves in.
Over three million Ukrainian children are relying on virtual learning tools. Thousands of schools, child care and education facilities have been decimated. Recent blackouts from attacks on energy infrastructure add yet another barrier to access.
For children who fled the country, the situation is similarly bleak. Two thirds aren’t enrolled in host-country education systems. Many face maximized education capacities and language barriers, while others opt for online education, hoping to return home soon.
The war in Ukraine has dominated headlines, yet sadly it is one of many armed conflicts globally and an example in a worldwide humanitarian crisis. Currently, an estimated 450 million children — more than 11 times the population of Canada — live in conflict zones.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees highlights how families caught in conflict spend on average 26 years as refugees. Data from UNICEF notes that one third of children born and raised in poverty won’t escape this hardship in adulthood. Conflict is one of “4 C’s” impacting children’s safety and global education. When combined with COVID-19, climate change and the cost of living, it poses detrimental and often irreparable outcomes.
Last year, I visited Burkina Faso in sub-Saharan Africa. The United Nations deems it one of the fastest growing yet most forgotten displacement crises. Child-friendly spaces run by Children Believe in partnership with UNICEF were filled with life and hope. I saw firsthand how crucial these spaces are in establishing normalcy and stability, encouraging play, offering learning and paving the way for recovery. I am grateful to the Canadians who have sponsored 4,500plus Burkinabé children, so they can dream fearlessly and reach their full potential.
While there, I met Marina, a 10year-old sponsored child pursuing an education. Marina is a dedicated, bright young mind who radiates positivity. Her parents support her learning and recognize the importance of educating girls. They hope she will one day become a teacher and help the family to break out of the poverty currently plaguing them.
While humanitarian efforts continue, now is the time to redouble the commitment to child-centred approaches. When disaster strikes, the priority shifts to survival, and societal pillars like education — the best weapon against poverty and conflict — become secondary. If this continues, we risk these children becoming “a lost generation.”
With the one-year anniversary of the Ukraine war upon us, the needs of children displaced by war remains urgent. I urge both the government of Canada and all Canadians to continue supporting the millions of children living in conflict. They are desperate to access their fundamental right to education.
Education lays the foundation for a better tomorrow, opens a world of opportunities, and empowers children to become catalysts for a peaceful and equitable world.
Collectively, we can make a difference by advocating for the vulnerable and prioritizing global education in our policies and decisions. Please sign the petition at bit.ly/3KREfR1 to show your support and ensure the Canadian government continues to invest in global education.