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Add to Preferred SourcesThe humanitarian crisis faced by children caught up in the Ukraine conflict is multiplying by the hour and children are at risk.
Stephen Omollo, Chief Executive of Plan International, said: “The humanitarian crisis faced by children caught up in the Ukraine conflict is multiplying by the hour. Each day of continued fighting means countless more lives, homes, and childhoods uprooted. Children will bear these wounds – both visible and invisible – long after the fighting has stopped. For their sake, it is crucial to find an immediate ceasefire before more lives are lost”.
Humanitarian needs for children affected by the #UkraineCrisis are multiplying by the hour. In response, we have missions underway to Moldova, Romania & Poland to assess how we best support organisations who are already working to help children and their families #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/AnuIvghfYg
— Plan International (@PlanGlobal) February 28, 2022
The organization is gravely concerned about reports of violations of the Children and Armed Conflict mandate. Children have the right to live without fear that a rocket will come through their bedroom. All parties to any conflict must respect their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. Plan International welcomes the ICC Prosecutor’s investigation into the situation in Ukraine. The targeting of civilian infrastructure, including apartment buildings, hospitals, and schools, must also end. Children’s homes and communities should never be a target of war.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, children and their families need to be able to reach a place of safety. The organization is deeply concerned about reports of young people of color and non-Ukrainians facing discrimination, racism, and acts of violence while fleeing their homes and at some of the country’s border posts.
Discrimination has no place in any humanitarian response. Plan International stands in solidarity with everyone whose lives are being torn apart by the conflict in Ukraine. In line with international law, standards, and conventions, all people affected by conflict have the right to protection, without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, country of origin, sex, age, ability, sexuality, or other perceived differences. Treatment at borders must be equitable, prioritizing the most vulnerable.
Plan International has missions present and already underway to Moldova, Romania, and Poland to assess how best we can support children and their families. Plan International will work with organizations who are present already, working around the clock to ensure there is immediate help for children and their families as they cross the border from Ukraine.
“We call on authorities in Ukraine, transit and host countries, organizations providing much needed humanitarian aid and the population at large to commit themselves to the humanitarian principle of humanity and to reject any form of discrimination of the affected populations based on perceived differences.”