Lesa Scholl
24 December 2024
Children in Ukraine’s conflict zone face worsening mental and physical health amid their continued exposure to trauma, aid agencies say.
They warned the prolonged conflict and breakdown of relationships would affect the children’s development.
It comes as the Ukrainian conflict passes 1000 days.
World Vision Australia chief executive Daniel Wordsworth said children responded to trauma and conflict in different ways to adults.
Mr Wordsworth said while children were very resilient, they were most affected by disrupted relationships.
Read more: Anglican children invited to help brighten Christmas for Ukraine’s young people
Prolonged breakdown of relationships and exposure to trauma and conflict in Ukraine impacted child development, he said.
“I noticed a lot of children who couldn’t speak, and…some that were reverting in their fine and gross motor skills,” Mr Wordsworth said. “The child I’m thinking about couldn’t speak anymore, but he was even losing his ability to dance.”
Mr Wordsworth, who has been on the ground in almost every conflict zone in the last 25 years, said that what was distinctive about the conflict in Ukraine was that it was the first time large civilian cities were in the middle of 21st century warfare.
“You can be almost anywhere in Ukraine and be under threat,” he said.
Mr Wordsworth said he was amazed by the remarkable ways humans overcame adversity.
“The danger we have is the absence of hope, not the existence of trauma,” he said.
Caritas Humanitarian Emergencies Lead Sally Thomas said increased fighting was displacing people multiple times.
“It’s starting to become one of those perfect storms for … orphaned children and homelessness,” she said.
Ms Thomas said that with no clear end in sight for the protracted conflict, there was greater risk to the vulnerable, including the homeless and people with disabilities.
September 2024 was the deadliest month this year with more than 1500 civilians dying.
Read more: Melbourne Anglicans join to pray for peace in Ukraine
The elderly and people with physical and mental disabilities were more difficult to move and were often left behind, Ms Thomas said.
Caritas and their partners have shelters that operate as clinics for mental health assistance.
Caritas partners saw the need to provide specialised support for children who were facing years of trauma and lost education.
Ms Thomas said Ukraine’s education system was completely broken and that childhood trauma could have lifelong implications for relationships, education and employment.
Ridley College lecturer and author of books on trauma Reverend Dr Scott Harrower said that the emphasis in Ukraine needs to be on recovering a sense of safety, community connections, and a story that goes beyond the trauma.
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