What to take with you when fleeing war: recommendations for refugees with children

Leaving your home and travelling to the unknown is always a difficult decision, especially when you have children who need constant care. For many Ukrainian families forced to seek refuge abroad due to the war, preparing for the trip is a challenge. However, the right choice of basic necessities can greatly facilitate the first days of adaptation in a new country and ensure comfort during the trip itself. The FACT news agency has collected useful information and advice from its readers on what Ukrainian refugees with children should take with them on the road to make them feel protected and prepared for any unforeseen situations.

Documents and money: more than just papers

The most important things to take with you are documents and money.

Required documents:

1. Passports (Ukrainian and foreign) for all family members. It is important to have electronic copies that can be downloaded to your smartphone or cloud storage. If you don’t have a passport, try to make a copy or a photo to prove your identity.
2. Birth certificates of children. This is especially important for registering children abroad.
3. Medical records, vaccination records – for possible visits to doctors or when enrolling children in schools.
4. Powers of attorney. If children are travelling with one of their parents or a guardian, it is important to have the proper documents to allow them to cross the border.
5. Money in different currencies. In addition to the hryvnia, have some money in euros or dollars, on cards and in cash, which will allow you to be flexible in any situation.

Documents are your only way to prove your identity, but it is important not only to have them, but also to know how to protect them. Here is a real story from Oksana from Zaporizhzhia, who shared her experience during the evacuation:

“We fled in a hurry, and the first thing that became a problem was my passport. I simply lost it on the bus when they were checking my documents. It was good that I had taken a photo of all our documents on my phone beforehand and sent copies to my email. It saved us at the border.”

Conclusion: in addition to passports, birth certificates, and medical records, make electronic copies of all documents, upload them to cloud services, and don’t forget to share access with a trusted person. This may be your only option if you lose your physical copies.

It is also worth considering money storage: divide your budget into several parts. In Ukraine, there have been cases where refugees have been left without funds due to failures in banking systems or card blocking. Olga from Kharkiv region advises:

“We did the following: my sister took care of all the cash, and I took care of the cards. That way, if one source of money is lost, there is another. And it is always worth having some euros or dollars – they are accepted everywhere.”

Clothes: be prepared for the unexpected

You need to take the following things with you:

• Layered clothing. Since the weather can change dramatically, it is better to have both warm and lightweight clothes.
• Waterproof clothing. Hats, jackets, and shoes with a water-repellent coating are especially important to protect you from rain and cold.
• Spare clothes for children. It is important to take more change of clothes for children, as they get dirty faster and may change them often.
• Comfortable shoes. Keep in mind that you may have to walk a lot. Therefore, for children and adults, it is better to choose shoes that do not rub.

It’s not just about taking warm clothes, but how to choose the right clothes that will help you on a long journey. Svitlana from Kharkiv shares:

“We had an experience when our child got soaked to the skin at a bus stop in the rain, and we had no clothes to replace. We just didn’t think the weather could change so quickly. Now I always carry a raincoat for each of us and spare shoes, even if it seems unnecessary.”

One thing to remember: don’t skimp on a change of clothes and waterproofs. It’s better to bring lightweight folding raincoats and extra pairs of socks than to look for a place to dry your clothes in the middle of the road.

First aid kit: something that is forgotten

Medical assistance may not be available in the first days after arrival, so a first aid kit should contain basic medicines:

• Painkillers and antipyretics. Ibuprofen, paracetamol for adults and children.
• Medicines for intestinal disorders. Enterosorbents, probiotics.
• Medicines for allergies. Antihistamines for immediate symptom relief.
• Disinfectants and plasters. Solutions for wound treatment, bandages, cotton pads.
• Medicines for regular use. If someone in the family has a chronic illness, you should have a supply of medicines for several weeks.

People often take standard medicines but forget about simple but critical things, such as disinfectants. Alina from Sumy region advises:

“My little daughter is always getting into everything. We almost got an intestinal infection on the road because we couldn’t find clean water to wash our hands. Now we always have a large supply of antiseptic and wet wipes with us.”

Don’t forget about specific medical supplies for your children. As Olya from Poltava noted:

“My son has asthma, so it was crucial for us to have an inhaler and enough medicine for several weeks. Now we always take twice as much medicine as we think we need.”

Food and water: plan for more than just the day

Take with you:

• Dry food. Crackers, snacks, instant cereals that can be stored for a long time and do not require refrigeration.
• Baby food. If you have small children, take care of a supply of formula or puree.
• Water bottles and thermoses. Water may not be available in transport or at bus stops, so you should have a few hours’ supply.

Many people think that it is enough to take only snacks or dry rations, but it is better to have a strategy for a long journey. Marina from Kharkiv region advises:

“We took simple meals that could be cooked at the bus stop. For example, oatmeal in bags – you can just pour hot water over it and feed the children.”

Don’t forget that water is not just for drinking. You may find yourself in a situation where there is no way to wash your hands or even wash fruit for your children. Water bottles should always be in your luggage.

Personal items and hygiene products

Do not forget about the following things that are extremely important when travelling:

• Baby care products. Diapers, wet wipes, irritation creams – these are the things that no trip can be complete without.
• Hygiene products for all family members. Toothbrushes, toothpastes, soaps, shower gel, shampoos.
• Towels and small blankets. Sometimes you may find yourself in a place where there are no amenities, so your own towels and blankets will keep you comfortable.
• Smartphones and tablets. In addition to being useful for communication, they can be used to play games and entertain children during long journeys.
• External batteries. Mobile communication can become critical, so you need to have several chargers.
• Laptop or other gadgets for studying. For older children, it is important to continue their studies even while abroad.

Things that will save your children’s nerves (and yours)

Travelling can be long and tiring for children, so you need to take something to keep them entertained:

• Favourite toys. This will help your child feel safe and comfortable.
• Books, colouring books, board games. Anything that can distract the child and occupy their time while waiting.

When travelling, parents often forget about the psychological state of their children. Waiting in queues, uncertainty, fear – all this can have a strong impact on kids. It’s worth having a ‘nerve saving plan’.

Anna, a mother of three from Dnipro, shares her secret:

“I bought my children headphones with their favourite fairy tales on the phone, and it became our lifeline. They stopped crying and could listen to stories for hours, even when we were standing at the border for hours.”

Children also often need entertainment when all the adults are busy with documents or looking for accommodation. Having a few toys, books, or board games is not a luxury, but a necessity to keep them calm.

When planning your trip as a refugee, it is important to anticipate different possible situations and be prepared for the fact that not all needs can be met immediately upon arrival. Proper preparation is the key to making your family feel more secure in an unknown environment. Plan your luggage according to these recommendations to make your trip more comfortable and safe for you and your children.