Due to the full-scale invasion of Russia into the territory of Ukraine since February 24, about 7 million people were forced to leave their homes and move to the West of Ukraine, of which about 5 million are children. And near 9 million - in general left Ukraine in search of security and protection in EU countries.
Terre des hommes in Ukraine launched a new project in June 2022 to respond to an emergency and support displaced families with children in 5 regions.
The project "SMILE - Support for children and their families during Migration and Integration in new Local Environments" will be implemented by Terre des hommes in Ukraine in the West until July 2023 in the following oblasts: Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Transcarpathian, Ternopil and Khmelnytsky.
The main areas of work in these regions are:
- Strengthening the network of frontline service providers
- Direct service provision for internally displaced children and families
- Information and awareness-raising
The first pillar includes such deliverables:
- Psychosocial support (PSS) group activities at the location of the partners and through mobile activities;
- Child-friendly spaces (CFS) and PSS activities in schools;
- Support for IDPs in community accommodation centers;
- Social services for IDPs and local children through Social Service departments;
- Training for specialists.
Tdh is planning to build the strong network with NGO and CBOs partners: professional associations of social workers and psychologists, volunteer organizations, NGOs active in social service provision; partner NGO at national level for relation with CSOs. As well as with the state partners: departments of education, social services, child protection; local and regional administrative authorities.
The second pillar includes:
- Delivery of food and hygiene kits and baby kits;
- Support for improvement of conditions in IDP centers;
- PSS group activities implemented by Tdh staff.
And the last pillar includes:
- Providing information needed for IDPs living in the centers throgh the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Humanitarian Emergencies (MHPSS) exercise;
- Providing Information needed for children and youth once the school year starts, as part of the MHPSS assessment;
- For NGOs and state authorithies - Tdh as a promoter of the Safeguarding Hub in Ukraine.
Funding:
OAK Foundation (UK): 1,640,000 CHF (until end of January 2023)
CdCS Centre de Crise et Soutien (Fr): 262,818 EUR (until end of 2022)
Beisheim Foundation: 450,000 CHF (until end of July 2023)
Terre des hommes: 200,000 CHF (until end of 2022)
The project "SMILE - Support for children and their families during Migration and Integration in new Local Environments" is implementing with the participation and financial support of the Crisis and Support Center of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France and Oak Foundation.