Ukraine Emergency

War and winter hits children hard.

Four years ago, the world watched as war erupted in Ukraine. Today, the conflict rages on and children continue to live in fear - desperate for help, holding out for hope.

Air-raid sirens have replaced school bells, nights are spent in bomb-shelters not bedrooms, and kids are learning to run for cover before learning to ride a bike. No child should grow up like this.

Since the 24th of February 2022, 3,200 kids have been killed and injured, 8.7 million people have been forced to flee their homes and 2.4 million children are struggling each day without clean water, sanitation, electricity and access to healthcare and education.    

A generation of Ukrainian kids needs our help - we can't let them be forgotten.

Thanks to generous donor support, we’ve been able to remain on the ground, staying to deliver for children and families. However, while this terrible conflict continues, there’s still so much help. Any amount you can give will bring warmth, hope and make a life-changing difference for kids in Ukraine. 

If you can, please make a donation today to help children in Ukraine.

KEEPING WARM, KEEPING HOPE:
WINTER ON THE FRONTLINE

Just a few kilometers from the front line, Svitlana and her six children are squeezed into a tiny two-bedroom flat. The roof leaks, the walls are damp and there is no running water or sewage. The family are enduring their fourth winter here, huddled together, keeping warm, keeping hope.

Svitlana and her husband are going without, just so their children can eat, stay warm and keep learning.

“It’s very hard”, she says, “I don’t know how we’ll go on”.

It's thanks to our amazing donors, that we’ve been able to support Svitlana’s family (and many other families) during their toughest times.

Last year, Svitlana's family received fuel briquettes so they could keep a fire burning through winter, cash assistance to buy food, and clothes to keep all the children warm and dry.

To fuel our winter response, UNICEF needs additional donations, so we can continue to reach and support desperate families living on the frontline.

How will my donation help kids in Ukraine?

Support from Kiwis like you is how we’re able to keep providing essential supplies and services to children and their families. They're missing out on the basics, such as healthcare, clean water, mental health and psychosocial support, warm clothing and blankets, education, and nutrition support.

But with donations from our amazing supporters, and by working with partners on the ground, we’re able to distribute supplies and provide services to ensure isolated and hard to reach children don’t get forgotten.

To continue to fuel our efforts, please donate to support children and their families in Ukraine.   

8.5 million people urgently need clean water, hygiene supplies and sanitation services. Your donation can help bring them these essentials and more.

How’s UNICEF been responding?

Since the war began, we’ve received many generous donations from kind-hearted Kiwis up and down Aotearoa. A huge thank you to everyone who has donated and provided us with the fuel to continue our lifesaving work. 

Here’s a look at what UNICEF donors have helped us achieve:

• We've provided humanitarian assistance to 7 million people, including 2.5 million children.
• We've helped 425,900 people access primary healthcare services and supplies.
• We've provided mental health and psychosocial support to 546,900 children, adolescents and caregivers.
• We've supported 311,100 children to continue their education in formal or non-formal settings, including early learning opportunities.
• We've helped 4.3 million people access safe water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene.
• We've supported 216,600 households with humanitarian cash transfers.
  
  If you can support us again today, we can continue this life-saving impact for those kids and families still in need.

What are the needs of children and families in Ukraine? 

As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, the situation for millions of kids there remains precarious. We won't stop delivering until we've reached every child who needs us.

Here's a snapshot of the needs in 2026:

• 12.7 million people in Ukraine will need some form of humanitarian help to survive. 
  
• 8.5 million children and adults will need help accessing safe water, sanitation facilities and hygiene supplies.
  
• 9.2 million people will need primary healthcare, vaccinations and nutrition support.
  
• 1.6 million children will need support to continue their education. 
  
• 3.5 million kids will need child protection services, including ongoing mental health and psychosocial support.

Why donate to UNICEF? 

UNICEF has been in Ukraine for more than 25 years, and we’re not going anywhere. We have offices and teams across the country, and in neighbouring countries, working around the clock to deliver for children. 

We have decades of experience responding in emergency situations (300+ each year). And with a web of supply hubs and logistic networks across the world, and expert committed staff on the ground – we’re uniquely positioned to maximise the impact of every dollar donated. 

Please donate now.  

You can help us continue to deliver life-saving supplies for Ukrainian children and their families.  

Other ways to donate

If you'd like to donate over the phone, call our friendly team on 0800 243 575. 

If you'd like to donate direct to our bank account, please use account 01-0505-0463764-00 and code 'UKR-WS'. 

Other ways you can help:

Help us spread awareness of the situation for kids in Ukraine by sharing this appeal with your friends and family. 

If you'd like to fundraise with your community to support our work, you can start a fundraiser here.