World Vision reports on what three years of war have cost Ukrainian children

KYIV (February 24, 2025) – As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, global Christian humanitarian organization World Vision warns that the continued impacts of the conflict are putting a generation at risk. Violence, displacement and damaged educational infrastructure have left deep physical and emotional scars on the country’s children. More than 600 have been killed, over 1,700 have been injured, and millions more face an ongoing crisis of trauma, separation from family, loss of access to critical services like clean water, and lasting impact to their emotional and physical well-being.  

According to a UNICEF report, approximately 4% of Ukrainian households nationwide have at least one child living apart from their family. The war has caused a massive displacement crisis: 3.6 million people remain internally displaced within Ukraine and about 6.3 million are refugees — 90% of them women and children.  

The war has also taken a staggering toll on children’s mental health. Last year, a survey involving over 1,500 children, parents and caregivers revealed that 9 out of 10 children were grappling with psychological and emotional stress. Among them, 73% reported feeling unsafe or fearful, 64% struggled with a lack of interest in learning, and 54% experienced sadness or low self-confidence. 

National-level estimates show that nearly half of adolescents in Ukraine were directly exposed to the war, 32% screened positive for moderate or severe depression, 17.9% for moderate or severe anxiety, 35% for significant psychological trauma, 29.5% for eating disorders, and 20.5% for a significant risk of substance use disorder. 

“The emotional burden faced by Ukrainian children cannot be overlooked,” said Arman Grigoryan, World Vision’s crisis response director in Ukraine.  

Children’s physical health and well-being are another devastating cost of the war. Girls are at increased risk of gender-based violence, and attacks on healthcare facilities have hampered the crucial delivery of health services to children. 

The costs to children’s education are also alarming. Approximately 4 million children across Ukraine  continue to experience disrupted education, with 600,000 schoolchildren unable to attend any in-person classes. Over 10% of learning facilities have been damaged by the war, and over 20% have had to shut down due to a lack of bomb shelters. In areas where schools remain operational, they are overwhelmed and face shortages of qualified teachers. 

“Children continue to bear the devastating impacts of war, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they are not forgotten,” said Grigoryan. “World Vision remains steadfast in our commitment to do everything possible, standing with these children and their families until the day we see peace and hope restored.”  

Since World Vision began responding to the war in Ukraine in March 2022, it has reached over 2.1 million people in need, including more than 970,000 children. In 2024 alone, World Vision supported over 526,000 people, 38% of them children, in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Romania through programs focused on protection, education, psychosocial support, livelihoods, basic needs, winterization and cash assistance.  

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visit worldvision.org or follow on X @WorldVisionUSA.