Nearly two-thirds of all Ukrainian children have fled their homes

Almost five million children have left their homes in the six weeks since Russia’s invasion

Of Ukraine’s 7.5 million children, 4.8 million have been displaced, which equates to nearly two-thirds of the population.

UNICEF’s emergency programs director, Manuel Fontaine, says he hasn’t seen something happen so quickly in his 31 years of humanitarian work.

“They have been forced to leave everything behind — their homes, their schools and, often, their family members,” he told the UN Security Council.

The agency confirmed the death of 142 adolescents and 229 that have been injured, though the numbers are likely much higher.  

Fontaine expressed concerns over the lack of a regular supply of food, water, sanitation, medical supplies and education accessible to Ukrainian children.

“I have heard stories of the desperate steps parents are taking to get their children to safety, and children saddened that they are unable to get back to school,” he said.

Unaccompanied children face much higher risks including violence, abuse, exploitation and trafficking.  

Ukraine’s U.N. ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, claimed Russia has taken over 121,000 children out of Ukraine.

Reportedly Russia has drafted a bill to simplify and accelerate adoption procedures for orphans and even those who have parents and other relatives.

Fontaine said UNICEF has heard the same report but is yet to verify it and will act accordingly.

Treatment of women and girls since Russia’s invasion

Women and girls are also prone to acts of sexual violence, which is increasing in the war-torn country.

UN Women executive director, Sima Bahous said Russia’s actions have raised multiple “red flags.”

She also expresses concern for the “mass displacement” and the “brutality displayed against Ukrainian civilians.”

Since the beginning of the war over 6,000 alleged war crimes have been committed by Russia.

Recent war crimes investigators uncovered cases of sexual violence committed by Russian troops in Ukraine, including women and girls kept in a Bucha basement for 25 days.

Ukraine’s official ombudsman for human rights, Lyudmyla Denisova, says nine of them are now pregnant.

Denisova recorded multiple cases of rape, torture and abuse by Kremlin forces in Bucha, outside Kyiv, and in other Ukrainian towns.

Amanda Gunn contributed to this report