The first month of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has resulted in 4.3 million Ukrainian children becoming refugees, which is more than half of the European country’s approximately 7.5 million child population, Ukrinform quoted a report by UNICEF.
The number comprises more than 1.8 million children, who fled to neighbouring countries as refugees and 2.5 million, who are now internally displaced inside Ukraine.
«The war has caused one of the fastest largescale displacements of children since World War II. This is a grim milestone that could have lasting consequences for generations to come. Children’s safety, wellbeing and access to essential services are all under threat from non-stop horrific violence,» said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. UNICEF added that since February 24, the UN agency has delivered medical supplies to 49 hospitals in nine regions – including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro and Lviv.
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According to OHCHR, 78 children have been killed, and 105 have been injured in Ukraine since the start of the war on 24 February. Yet these figures represent only those reports that the UN has been able to confirm.
Half of Ukraine’s children have become refugees, UNICEF says
