War in Ukraine has led to displacement of more than half of Ukraine’s children

Joanna Rea, Director of Advocacy UK National Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) says:

“In just a month, the war has wrought devastation for Ukraine’s 7.5 million children, and they urgently need peace and protection.

“The UK public has shown enormous generosity, with thousands stepping up to offer Ukrainian refugees a place in their homes. The UK Government must now ensure that the new scheme delivers quickly. Crucially, this means a safe and an easy-to-use application process which prioritises the best interests of children moving through it. In addition, immediate access to essential health, education and protection services should be guaranteed when people arrive from Ukraine alongside the resource needed to deliver them.

“Longer term, we urge the UK Government to respond to the UK public’s outpouring of support for refugees by introducing a global refugee resettlement programme, one that can provide sanctuary in the UK for children and families fleeing violence and persecution wherever they are from.”