“We heard the sounds of the explosions...
so we decided to leave. My husband
brought us to the border, I don’t know
where he is now. I am terrified.”
- Xenia, a mother displaced in Romania
Families on the move
Millions of people, including 5.25 million children, have fled violence in Ukraine, finding safety within the country or crossing borders.
This could become Europe's largest refugee crisis of the century.
As children and families flee, they are in urgent need of clean water and protection. Women and girls are most at risk of gender-based violence, especially those displaced and travelling on their own. Children fleeing war in Ukraine are at significant risk of family separation, violence, abuse, sexual exploitation, and trafficking,
leading to an acute child protection crisis.
UNICEF is continuing to set up 'Blue Dot' safe spaces to provide crucial support to families on the move.
Currently 24 Blue Dots are operational across Moldova, Romania, Poland, Italy, Bulgaria, and Slovakia. Our teams help to identify unaccompanied and separated children and focus on family reunification and protection.
These spaces provide children and families with a safe place to rest, access to health care, water and food and the chance to play and be children again.
No matter what, no matter where, children must be protected from violence. UNICEF won’t stop until every child is safe.