UNICEF says 500,000 children have fled Ukraine in the past week

Half a million children have fled Ukraine this past week. UNICEF released data on Thursday, warning that the humanitarian crisis in the east will likely continue to grow.

According to the UN refugee agency, more than one million people have fled Ukraine this past week (Axios). The ongoing evacuation has been occurring after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. So far, UNICEF has only been able to verify that at least 17 children have been killed and 30 injured as a result of the war. The true number of child casualties is expected to be “far higher.”

UNICEF has also stated that “hundreds” of homes have been damaged, if not destroyed. Schools, orphanages, and health centers have “heavy damage,” as well.

As a result of the damaged infrastructure, “hundreds of thousands” of Ukrainians cannot access safe drinking water. UNICEF is working to provide “essential services including health, education, protection, water and sanitation.” 

Afshan Khan, UNICEF’s regional director for Europe and Central Asia, said, “The use of explosive weapons in cities could quickly turn this crisis into a catastrophe for Ukraine’s children. There are no armed operations of this scale that do not result in children being harmed. The consequences will be tragic. The only way out of the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine is for the conflict to end.”