More than 65% of Donbas families are concerned about the status of the future high-school certificates and diplomas of their children
More than 65% of Donbas families with schoolchildren and students are concerned about the status of education, which is being obtained in non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine now. Also many children require psychological support, due to financial difficulties families don't have essential goods and medications. This was told by KIIS representative Daryna Pyrogova on December 15 during the presentation of updated Humanitarian map of the current situation and needs in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
The research shows that the number of children in Donbas educational institutions became higher by the end of 2015. Many things have been fixed, such as windows, repaired roofs, walls and heating, but there is a lack of furniture, sports equipment and visual aids. The major problem remains the same: the prices for the necessary school supplies, clothes and footwear are very expensive. Clothes are worn after other people, families often use thrift stores, exchange things. Children's nutrition directly depends on the family income, many people survive due to humanitarian aid.
"Helping children during wartime requires cooperation and coordination of all humanitarian missions, state authorities and business. Humanitarian organizations and volunteers are the huge resource in Ukraine, which is helping a lot of people. This is mine safety information, psychological support, food and medications that Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center is helping so much with", – Gabriel Akimova, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF Ukraine, shares.
Parents and workers of education, healthcare and social sectors declared that no fundamental changes in the living conditions of children happened over the year. But at the same time they notice changes in psychological condition of kids. According to their observations, children became more grown-up and mature, especially those who did not leave their towns during active hostilities. Children often have sleep and behaviour disorders, epilepsy attacks are recorded more often as well.
"Family support is being very important now. Children are used to live in the war conditions, and it is not normal. The “strength reserve” of some people is really critical. Children need to be provided with favourable environment and safe space. Parents should understand their psychological condition and needs. It is also important to think about development. School and leisure help children to get back to normal life", – Gabriel Akimova.
Also, according to the research, it became known about children affected by hostilities in Donbas. 14% of respondents know about these cases personally. 55% of these children require medical treatment, 23% need physical rehabilitation. Half of them need psychological assistance.
"KIIS specialists helped us to find the contacts of 17 families, whose children were affected due to the military actions. The Humanitarian Center is ready to take care of these children and provide them with all the necessary targeted medical and psychological assistance, if they are not in our base yet", – Rimma Fil, the Coordinator of Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center, shared.
On December 15, during the roundtable meeting on "Humanitarian map of Donbas needs: results of the year and expectations of civilian population" KIIS presented the results of research that was conducted during November 24–December 5, 2015 by order of Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center and Dopomozhemo TV. 2,113 respondents older than 18 were polled through telephone and computer interviewing (CATI). Residents of 30 most distressed towns of Donetsk and Luhansk regions participated in the surveying.
