EMERGENCY APPEAL - GLOBAL HUNGER
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Ukraine Crisis

The ongoing war in Ukraine is forcing families to flee from cities under fire with, children have to witness the horrors of war.

Their childhood is under attack. Millions of Ukrainians have been driven from their homes, hundreds of thousands have already arrived in neighbouring countries.

Plan International is collaborating with agencies currently already engaged in relief efforts around the clock.

Map of Plan's response in Ukraine's surrounding countries.
Neighbouring countries where we’re responding

The vast majority of people seeking refuge are women and girls. They are at particular risk of abuse and sexual exploitation. Plan International is committed to supporting agencies in Moldova, Poland, and Romania that provide care, advice, and awareness of these risks among refugee children and caregivers. With your help, they can scale up urgent relief operations to support children and their families.

Help us save their childhoods.

Please note: Any donations received that exceed what is needed for this emergency will be held in reserve to respond to future humanitarian emergencies. Thank you for your generosity.

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How Your Donation Will Help

Violence, lack of access to basic services and socio-economic deterioration will increase an influx of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, leading to family separation. The lack of basic services such as electricity, heaters, water and sanitation can further endanger the health and survival of children.

The protection of girls and boys from violence, neglect, abuse and exploitation are part of Plan’s emergency response work. We work to support actions that reduce harm to children, especially girls, as well as respond to incidences of harm quickly and effectively.

Plan is also working to ensure that girls and boys affected by the Ukraine crisis have uninterrupted access to safe inclusive, quality education, as far as possible through holistic teaching and learning approaches that will support their psychosocial wellbeing, and that of their families and teachers.​

Your Impact: Returning to School After Fleeing Conflict in Ukraine
Plan International has supplied 500 backpacks and education kits to help children fleeing conflict in Ukraine return to school. Read more

Hear From Our Colleagues

In War, Children Pay the Highest Price

Hear from girls and children about their experience.

Escaping the Conflict in Ukraine: Katy’s Story
At 16-years-old, Katy has left her country of Ukraine for the first time and does not know when she will ever return. Read more
Gregory’s Story
Gregory, 9, has just crossed over the border with his mum, dad, brother, cousin and auntie. They have travelled from Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, which has suffered repeated bombings since the hostilities began. Read more
FAQ’s About Plan International’s Response
Under what conditions are displaced people, and in particularly girls, arriving in the countries bordering Ukraine?
Girls and children have witnessed shocking scenes during their journeys to flee from fighting in Ukraine. They had to flee carrying whatever they could grab and have had horrendous journeys under freezing conditions, facing uncertainty and fear of attack. They are in urgent need of shelter, blankets, food and water, protection and health services. Beyond the immediate needs some suffering is invisible. They are concerned for family members left behind, uncertain about their future, and their living conditions. We know from our experience in warzones around the world that this experience of violence in Ukraine will leave a heavy toll on the mental health of children and young people.
Are there children trapped in Ukraine who are unable to leave the conflict zones?
We are deeply concerned for children and their caregivers who are hiding out in dark basements away from shelling and gunfire. The situation has deteriorated with fighting taking place from street to street. The lives of children are at risk and are being lost. It’s crucial that we see an immediate ceasefire for the sake of the children and young people of Ukraine. Humanitarian corridors must be established immediately so that children and their caregivers be given safe passage. The time to act is now before more lives are lost.
What kind of response is Plan International demanding from your local/national- government?
The priority now is an immediate cease-fire and we join in the international call for an end to the fighting. But we must also focus our attention on those who have been forced to leave their homes. Rapid, unimpeded, non-arbitrary and safe humanitarian access must be guaranteed. Neighbouring countries have opened their borders to welcome those who have fled the fighting in Ukraine. We support the expansion of safe, legal routes for children and their families to reach a place of safety. All potential host countries must commit to their obligations under the UN Convention on Refugees. The principle of non-refoulement must be respected meaning that no one should be returned. EU Ministers of Interior will assess activating for the very first time the Temporary Protection Directive, which would allow Ukrainians to enter EU member states for three years without formally applying for asylum. This is important and very welcome news. Prioritising the well-being of people fleeing war, violence and crises is paramount for a nnion of values, as the EU is. Our decision-makers must demonstrate this strength, clarity and confidence when it comes to supporting refugees from anywhere in the world. Hopefully, this experience will open the way for a more humane and human-centred policies in the future.
Does this mean that Plan International is deprioritising other crises around the world?
This is not the only heartbreaking situation taking place globally where girls and children are impacted. We are responding to many humanitarian crises around the world and all our efforts should not be at the cost of responding to other critical and underfunded humanitarian crises taking place globally.
What is Plan International’s position on sanctions against Russia?
We cannot comment directly on the size and scope of these sanctions but it’s critical that sanctions do not harm civilian populations and in particular children or the services they need. Above all what is needed now is an immediate ceasefire and to find a diplomatic solution to conflict. We support all efforts to de-escalate conflict and bring peace as quickly as possible.
Is humanitarian access to conflict zones being limited?
With fighting taking place, humanitarian access within Ukraine is very limited at this time. We urgently need rapid and unimpeded access to allow safe passage of humanitarian personnel and supplies. Denial of access to humanitarian workers assisting children is prohibited under international humanitarian law and could be considered a war crime.
Plan International is not operational in Ukraine or neighbouring countries. Why are you choosing to work there now?
As a global humanitarian organisation working for children’s rights and equality for girls, we have considerable experience of the impact of conflict on children. There are immediate needs for shelter, warmth and food but we are deeply concerned for the mental health of children and their caregivers who have been forced to flee fighting, heard explosions and worry for family left behind and an uncertain future. Our priority is to come alongside local organisations who are responding directly to the needs of refugee and in particular children, girls and young women. We bring technical expertise and can help to ensure that children are safe and can access support to begin to deal with the traumatic events of the past weeks. Our initial rapid assessment and consultation identified a need to support local organisations as they respond to this large-scale refugee crisis in the areas of child protection and family and community-level psychosocial support.

Donate Now

One off donation
Regular donation
I would like to make a donation of
€25
€50
€150
EUR
I would like to make a donation of
€12
€21
€30
EUR
Continue