The violence had a significant impact on the education of Ukrainian children; the country’s education system has been devastated by the escalation of hostilities and families do not feel safe sending their children to school.

The war in Ukraine started six months ago, taking a heavy toll on children. It wreaked havoc on a scale not seen since World War II. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said at least 972 children have been killed or injured since the war in Ukraine began on February 24.

Catherine Russell, the executive director of UNICEF, thinks the number of minors who died in the conflict is likely much higher. The use of explosive weapons caused most of the child casualties. These weapons do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, especially when used in populated areas, according to UNICEF.

« Meanwhile, beyond the horror of children being killed or physically hurt in attacks, almost every child in Ukraine has been exposed to deeply distressing events, and those fleeing violence are at significant risk of family separation, violence, abuse, sexual exploitation, and trafficking, » noted the UNICEF chief.

According to UN estimates, in this war one in ten schools was damaged or destroyed. The violence had a significant impact on the education of Ukrainian children; the country’s education system has been devastated by the escalation of hostilities and families do not feel safe sending their children to school.

Ukrainian children urgently need safety, access to safe education and child protection services.

www.un.org