"We must act today to prevent deportation tomorrow," stated Olha Tymchenko during a meeting on reforming the system of care and support for children

Author:

Mariia Kucova

On April 26th, an international dialogue on reforming the childcare and support system took place in Kyiv. Olha Tymchenko, the head of the communication department and a board member of "Voices of Children," participated in the event.

Ukraine, together with its European partners, must do everything possible to protect vulnerable groups of children. We need to help them today while they are here in Ukraine, rather than having to repatriate them from Russian deportation later,
emphasized Olha Tymchenko.

Orphans and children deprived of parental care are the most vulnerable to Russian deportation. According to official data, invaders illegally took around 20,000 Ukrainian children, and unofficial estimates suggest over 700,000.

So far, only 388 deported children have been successfully repatriated, but our work with them doesn't end there. They require ongoing rehabilitation with psychologists and social reintegration.

As my Valeriia says, "The Russians stole 1.5 years of my childhood. Instead of 'liberation,' Russia gave me a chronic stress disorder." So, our task is to help such children,
noted Olha Tymchenko.

As it's known, the head of communications at "Voices of Children" took 17-year-old Valeriia under her care, who returned alone from Russian occupation. The girl also experienced deportation to Crimea.

Olha Tymchenko outlined steps to protect vulnerable groups of children starting today.

Supporting families in difficult life circumstances at all levels, including at the community level.
Supporting the implementation of rehabilitation program for children who were illegally deported to Russia. Civil society is already developing this program.
Supporting the placement of children with status into family-based care arrangements.
Providing case management and support for affected families.

One more crucial point: involving children in the development of such a program is essential. Unfortunately, our children have already experienced more than their fair share for their age. They are capable and eager to participate in decisions that impact them. Nothing about children without involving children— that should be our motto,
concluded Olha Tymchenko.

At the event, the project for the Strategy of Ensuring the Right of Ukrainian Children to Grow Up in a Family Environment was presented. Additionally, the European Commission and UNICEF in Ukraine signed an agreement for financial support for the reform from the European Union.

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