Summer health improvement for children in wartime: “Artek” will accept holidaymakers from privileged categories for free.
During the war, children become the most vulnerable part of society. Combat operations, loss of relatives, destruction of usual life, forced resettlement, instability — all this leaves a deep mark on the child’s psyche and health. Physical recovery, psychological support, communication with peers in a safe environment is a basic need, without which it is impossible to talk about the normal development of children who have survived the trauma of war. That is why the organization of high-quality and safe rehabilitation of children from socially vulnerable categories is part of the state responsibility.
In the summer of 2025, children in need of social protection can rest and recover free of charge within the framework of the state program. Tickets to the International Children’s Center “Artek” are provided for this at the expense of the state budget. The holiday is organized in two locations: in Kyiv (Pushcha-Vodytsia, 14th line) and in the village of Bereznyki in Transcarpathia (Khust district). Both of these places have proper infrastructure, experienced educators, and most importantly, they are located in safe regions where you can organize children’s vacations in compliance with safety conditions.
The selection of children for rehabilitation takes place in accordance with the Regulation on the procedure for sending children for rehabilitation and rest to the state enterprise of Ukraine “International Children’s Center “Artek” at the expense of budget funds”. Local self-government bodies are responsible for the distribution of vouchers, and the Ministry of Social Policy and the Ministry of Education ensure compliance with the procedure.
It is recommended to give priority in the provision of vouchers to children from the first five preferential ones categoriesspecified in the Rules, in particular:
– orphans;
– children deprived of parental care;
– children with disabilities;
– children from large families;
– to children from low-income families.
To submit an application for free rehabilitation of a child, it is necessary to contact the administration of the school where the child studies. Documents confirming the privileged status of the child, as well as other data in accordance with the requirements of the Regulation, are attached to the application.
In parallel with rehabilitation in the camps, in 2025 the state program “eOzdorovenlynya” will also operate – this is an experimental project that provides for the principle of financing “money follows the child”. That is, parents can independently choose a place for the child to rest, and the state compensates for the costs of rehabilitation in accordance with established norms.
This program is aimed primarily at children from socially vulnerable categories, namely:
– children with disabilities,
– children from large families,
– children aged 7 to 18 from low-income families.
Parents or official representatives can find out about the compensation procedure, the list of available institutions and the application mechanism by using official channels or a special portal of the program. All that is required is to have a confirmed social status of the child, choose an institution from the list of accredited ones, and correctly complete the application according to the instructions.
Visit: nssu.gov.ua
Both forms of support — centralized rehabilitation in “Artek” and a flexible approach through “eOzdrovleniya” — make it possible to reach a larger number of children. While some families choose a camp format with an organized program, others have the opportunity to choose an individual option — for example, vacation closer to their place of residence or in a specialized sanatorium.
In wartime conditions, this help is an element of stabilizing the psycho-emotional state of children who grow up in anxiety, with the experience of loss and limitations. It’s also a way to give parents — especially those who are raising multiple children on their own or living in difficult circumstances — at least temporary relief. At the same time, state funding of such programs does not cancel the participation of the community: school administrations, local councils, social service specialists — all of them should contribute to ensuring that children who really need rehabilitation are not left out. It is equally important to inform the families themselves: many simply do not know about such opportunities.
In a situation where the daily reality of children in Ukraine is filled with air alarms, instability, forced relocations and losses, even a short period of rest, with safety, food, fresh air and new experiences can become a point of support for a child. That is why the systematic and fair rehabilitation of children in wartime should remain not an additional, but the main part of the state support policy.
