The ad astra vita project in conjunction with the International Humans in Space Summit 2022 is proud to be supporting fundraising for the UNICEF Ukraine Emergency Appeal.
Donations of A$2 or more are tax-deductible for Australian tax purposes. To donate, please visit: https://ukraine.unicef.org.au/t/ihs2022.
Why are we fundraising for UNICEF and Ukraine? Part of our mutual vision is to support STEAM education and children and young people who are seeking a better future and dare to dream. Although there are many humanitarian emergencies going on all over the world, all very worthy of support, over the past six months in Ukraine we have seen unimaginable horrors which have destroyed the lives of many adults, families, and children, and taken away their dreams. If we can do even just a little to help them through this difficult time until the war is over and they can dare to dream again, then it is worthwhile.
Read here about children recently returning to school in Ukraine, and how UNICEF has helped: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-04/ukranian-schools-reopen-in-parts-amid-russian-invasion/101401792.
From UNICEF:
Life for 7.5 million children caught up in the crisis in Ukraine is deteriorating by the minute. Children have been killed. Children have been wounded.
The fighting has impacted schools, hospitals and orphanages. Homes have been damaged or destroyed. Medical supplies are running low and millions of people are without access to safe water.
More than 4.3 million children have been forced to flee their homes. 1.8 million have become refugees, searching for safety in neighbouring countries.
UNICEF is trucking safe water and prepositioning health, hygiene and emergency education supplies to the most vulnerable children and families.
UNICEF has been in Ukraine for 25 years. Its teams are working day and night to scale up support.
War in Ukraine: Support for children and families
Six months of war have been devastating for Ukraine’s families. UNICEF and partners are on the ground providing support for those in need.
Six months into the war, humanitarian needs are continuing to multiply as the fighting continues. Children continue to be killed, wounded and deeply traumatized by the violence all around them. Many have seen things no child should ever see. Their homes have been hit. Their schools have been attacked, along with all the systems that could help them survive. Families are terrified, in shock, and desperate for safety.
By early August, almost 6.4 million individual refugees from Ukraine had been recorded across Europe. By late July, the International Organization for Migration estimated there were around 6.6 million people internally displaced in Ukraine. The large-scale displacement of people since the war started could have lasting consequences for generations to come. Children fleeing war in Ukraine are also at heightened risk of human trafficking and exploitation.
Meanwhile, attacks using explosive weapons in populated urban areas continue to inflict civilian casualties including among children, and considerable damage to essential infrastructure and services. As a result, children’s homes, schools, hospitals, water systems, power plants, and places where civilians are seeking shelter have been damaged or destroyed.
UNICEF is working with partners to reach vulnerable children and families with essential services – including health, education, protection, water and sanitation – as well as life-saving supplies.
How is UNICEF helping children and families?
UNICEF is working around the clock with partners to scale up life-saving programmes for children.
Inside Ukraine, UNICEF and partners have:
- Distributed life-saving health and medical supplies to reach around 3.9 million children and families.
- Reached around 420,000 individuals with multi-purpose cash assistance.
- Helped more than 3.4 million people access safe water in areas where networks have been damaged or destroyed.
- Helped more than 270,000 children through the provision of learning supplies.
- Reached over 1.4 million children and caregivers with mental health and psychosocial support.
- Assisted around 63,000 children through case management and referral services.
In countries hosting Ukrainian refugees, UNICEF has:
- Supported national, municipal and local systems that deliver essential services and protection, particularly for the most vulnerable children, including through: anti-trafficking training for border guards; expanding learning opportunities and integrating refugee children into schools; procuring vaccines and medical supplies; and establishing play and learning hubs that provide young children with a much-needed sense of normalcy and respite.
- Been working with local governments to conduct summer programmes in preparation for the start of the new school year in September.
- Worked with UNHCR and partners to activate Blue Dot hubs – one-stop safe spaces for children and women. Blue Dots provide key information to traveling families, help to identify unaccompanied and separated children and ensure their protection.
UNICEF Ukraine response: https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/war-ukraine-pose-immediate-threat-children. For more on the situation visit UNICEF Ukraine and UNICEF in Europe and Central Asia.
Thank you in advance for your support.
the ad astra vita project 