Heartbreaking Statistic Shows Depth Of Ukraine Refugee Crisis
Topics: Ukraine, Russia, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Ukraine, Russia, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky
The United Nations have revealed shocking statistics which illustrate the severity of the impact of Russia's invasion on Ukrainian children.
Since Russian president Vladimir Putin first sent troops across the border on February 24, despite the Kremlin leader's initial promise that civilians would not be targeted, residential buildings and hospitals have been shelled, set on fire and a whole city has been wiped out.
As the fighting enters its 20th day, the United Nations (UN) has revealed shocking new statistics from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) surrounding the impact the ongoing invasion has had on the country's children.
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The UN revealed that around 1.5 million out of the country's 7.5 million children are reported to have fled Ukraine, Barron's reports.
Spokesperson for the UN children's agency UNICEF, James Elder, stated: 'On average, every day over the last 20 days in Ukraine, more than 70,000 children have become refugees.'
To put the number into perspective, the UN noted how it means that, on average, almost one Ukrainian child becomes a refugee nearly every second.
'This crisis in terms of speed and scale is unprecedented since World War II,' Elder reflected.
Elder has warned that Ukrainian children now face the risks that 'all children driven from their homes by war and conflicts' do,
ranging from 'significant risk of family separation' to 'violence,' 'sexual exploitation and trafficking'.
'They're in desperate need of safety, stability and child protection services,' he concluded.
On UNICEF's website, the organisation also highlighted the heightened risk for 'displaced women and girls' who it stated are 'especially at risk of gender-based violence when sheltering or seeking asylum'.
The UN's website foreshadowed the long-term support which will be required by Ukrainian refugees.
On its website, it stated: 'The escalation of conflict has triggered an immediate and steep rise in humanitarian needs as essential supplies and services are disrupted and civilians flee the fighting.
'The UN estimates that 12 million people inside Ukraine will need relief and protection, while more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees may need protection and assistance in neighbouring countries in the coming months.'
A humanitarian programme cycle called 'Flash Appeal' has since been launched by the UN and its humanitarian partners with the aim of 'urgently deliver humanitarian support to people in Ukraine and refugees in neighbouring countries'.
It was reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that Ukraine health services are 'stretched to breaking point'.
The appeal currently has a combined total of $1.7 billion to help provide aid to those in need.
In a bid to aid evacuations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the country is planning to open nine humanitarian corridors today, Sky News reports.
However, previous attempts to do so have failed after an agreement with Russian forces to enforce a ceasefire to allow for the safe passage of refugees was broken.
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information