The impact is both immediate and long term. “Many children are effectively being excluded from normal childhood experiences and from full participation in education and social life,” says Serhii Lukashov, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Ukraine.
Frequent disruptions to electricity, heating, schooling and basic services continue to affect families across the country. “Emotionally, children are exhausted,” Serhii says. “Many have grown up in a context of continuous uncertainty and fear.”
Winter conditions have made daily life even harder. Repeated attacks on energy infrastructure have left many families without electricity and heating for extended periods, with children often coming to SOS Children’s Villages centres from cold homes.
At the same time, those working directly with children see not only distress, but resilience. “The children now are experiencing quite non-childhood traumas, lots of loss, stress, air raids. But at the same time, they have this incredible ability to recover,” says Inha Palamarchuk, a psychologist with SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine.
Growing needs, sustained response
Nearly two million children in Ukraine are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, with 70 percent lacking access to basic goods and services. Families continue to face displacement, economic hardship and the psychological toll of prolonged crisis.
Since the start of the full-scale war, SOS Children’s Villages has supported more than 600,000 people inside Ukraine, working together with local partner organisations. Around 9,000 Ukrainian refugees have also received support in eight European countries.
Inside Ukraine, SOS Children’s Villages social centres have supported more than 166,000 displaced children and parents with relief supplies, counselling and psychosocial care. More than 185,000 children and parents have received psychological support to help them cope with stress, trauma and loss. Children can play and learn in over 120 child-friendly spaces across the country, offering moments of safety and normality amid disruption. In addition, 965 children injured in the war and their families are receiving medical, psychological and rehabilitative support.
Daily work in extraordinary circumstances
Providing this support means working under constant pressure. Air-raid alerts interrupt activities, power outages disrupt daily life and families often face repeated displacement. Yet support continues.
“For us, it reinforces a clear sense of duty — the responsibility to continue our work for children and families affected by the war, day after day,” Serhii says.
“Our focus remains on the people we serve”
Four years after the start of the full-scale invasion, the needs remain immense. Nearly four million million people are estimated to be internally displaced within Ukraine, many in regions affected by missile strikes and facing pressure on housing, services, and energy.
The anniversary is a moment of reflection, but also of continued commitment. “Our focus remains on the people we serve and the commitment to stand by them, regardless of the challenges,” Serhii says.
For many children, their hopes for the future are simple. “What I want is for the war to end and for my dad to come home,” says Eva, 9.