The war, which brought devastating consequences for Ukraine, especially affected the youngest citizens of the country – children. In the front-line areas of the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, the war not only destroyed the usual life, but also endangered the lives and health of children. In response to these challenges, forced evacuations from danger zones were initiated to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the border regions of the Kharkiv region have become the site of fierce fighting. Constant shelling and the approach of the front line created a critical situation for the civilian population, especially for children who found themselves in the zone of active hostilities. In order to save their lives, a decision was made to forcibly evacuate the children together with their parents or other legal representatives.
In July 2024, a large-scale operation to evacuate children from 38 settlements of Bogodukhiv, Izyum, Chuguyiv and Kupyan districts of Kharkiv region began. This initiative is necessary to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable categories of the population, because the constant threat of shelling and military operations leaves little chance of survival for those who remain in the conflict zone.
As of August 8, 2024, according to Artemiy Konovalov, the head of the Juvenile Prevention Department of the Department of Preventive Activities of the GUNP in the Kharkiv region, 149 children were evacuated, and in total, more than 500 children were moved to safe regions since the beginning of the war. However, despite the work done, 42 more children need immediate evacuation from dangerous areas. This was discussed during today’s meeting briefing Director of the Department of Civil Protection of HOVA, Ivan Sokol, Chairman of the Board of BO “Coordinating Humanitarian Center” Yevhen Kolyada, and Head of the Department of Juvenile Prevention of the Department of Preventive Activities of the State Government of Ukraine in the Kharkiv Region, Artemiy Konovalov in the Official Media Center of HOVA.
A similar situation developed in the Donetsk region, where the war also brought chaos and danger to children. In August 2024, a decision was made to forcibly evacuate children from three settlements in Donetsk region: the villages of Tsukuryne, Illinka, and the village of Izmailivka, Pokrovsky District. This decision was taken due to the difficult security situation and risks to the lives of children who remain in these areas.
According to the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, the evacuation from Donetsk will last for 60 days. To ensure the evacuation process, one reception point has been deployed, through which children will be moved together with their families or legal representatives to safe regions of the country. The evacuation process is free, and anyone who needs help can contact the hotlines for advice and evacuation arrangements.
Despite all efforts, the process of evacuating children remains difficult and dangerous. Constant shelling, lack of sufficient transport, problems with accommodation and coordination between different services create serious challenges. Public services and voluntary organizations work in extremely difficult conditions, trying to ensure the safety of children and at the same time preserve their mental health in conditions that can hardly be called favorable.
Forced evacuation is not only a measure of physical protection, but also an act of humanity that allows you to save childhood destroyed by war. In new places of residence, children receive the necessary medical care, access to education and psychological support. However, even after evacuation, children face the consequences of the stress experienced, and therefore it is important to provide them with adequate psychological rehabilitation.
At today’s briefing, it was reported that a total of over 44,000 people have been evacuated from the de-occupied territories since September 2, 2022. Of them – 5177 children and 1246 persons with disabilities. Also, the Kharkiv OVA together with volunteer organizations and law enforcement officers are carrying out measures to evacuate the civilian population to other regions of Ukraine – Zakarpattia, Ternopil and Kirovohrad regions.
“Currently, the evacuation is being carried out to the Zakarpattia region, by allocating one car in the train for the free transportation of citizens on the Kharkiv-Mukachevo route. For the free transportation of citizens on August 2, by prior agreement with the Zakarpattia OVA, 9 people were evacuated by train to Mukachevo, with the subsequent settlement of 9 people. including one child who had previously been evacuated from dangerous areas of the Kharkiv region and temporarily lived in the regional center. Evacuation work continues.” – noted Ivan Sokol.
About 24 volunteer organizations were involved in the evacuation measures. Currently, with the help of volunteers, evacuation is being carried out from Lypetsk, Tsyrkunivsk, Dergachivsk, Zolochivsk, Starosaltivsk, Vovchansk communities and from Kupyansk district. Since the beginning of the year, 5,835 people have been evacuated by the charitable sector. More than 4,800 people have been evacuated since May 10, after the situation in the Vovchansk direction became more complicated.
“A large number of volunteers, together with specialized services, take an active part in the evacuation of the civilian population from front-line and border settlements. Volunteers work at a transit point in the city of Kharkiv, where comprehensive support is provided to each person who is evacuated, starting with monetary assistance, ending with hot meals, water, medicine, solving individual, legal, psychosocial issues, in principle, any issues. Also, organizations are involved in transporting people to places of temporary residence. We resettle people together with the HOVA Department of Social Protection.” – said Yevhen Kolyada.
186 children from frontline and border settlements are subject to evacuation, of which 144 children with their parents or guardians have already been evacuated to safer areas of the region. Another 42 children from Zolochivska and Vovchanska terromads need to be evacuated.
“People should understand that when the situation worsens, the possibility of evacuation becomes more difficult. All crews, both volunteer, and local authorities, and the national police risk their personal lives. Therefore, a big request to the residents of those settlements where the evacuation has been announced, especially the forced evacuation of children with their parents, please agree to leave, don’t hesitate, don’t wait.” – said Artemiy Konovalov.
The evacuation of children from the border regions of Kharkiv and Donetsk regions is a vital measure aimed at protecting the youngest citizens of Ukraine. Despite all the difficulties and challenges, this process allows saving lives and giving a chance for a safer future to those most affected by the war.
Several contacts have been provided for Ukrainians who wish to evacuate. You can contact the hotline of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration at the number: 0 800 408 911. You can also report your desire to evacuate to the hotline of the Ministry of Reintegration at the number 1548 or write to WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber messengers at the number: (096) 078-84- 33.
In addition, you can contact the evacuation hotline at 0-800-33-92-91, the special police line “102” or the nearest police station. Evacuation organizers are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of children and their families.
