From Crisis to Stability: The End of Our Ukraine Refugee Response

4 mins read time

Since the war broke out in Ukraine in 2022, Children on the Edge has supported refugees, responding to emerging needs and gaps in provision, staying long beyond other agencies.

The war in Ukraine has caused serious trauma and unspeakable loss, forcing over 12 million people to flee their homes. 

Since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, Children on the Edge has been dedicated to supporting refugees, staying long beyond other agencies to address emerging needs. Over the past three years, we have provided 10,000 food parcels, established three transit centres, opened a community hub, and supported a group of unaccompanied refugee children.

​Now, as our work reaches its natural conclusion, we reflect on the impact made possible by our incredible community.

YEAR ONE: EMERGENCY RESPONSE

In the first year, we focused on immediate relief:

• Transit Accommodation & Supplies – In Moldova, we supported the Speranța Centre, which provided short-term shelter for families, many with complex health needs.
• Drop-in Centre in Romania – In Iasi, Romania, we distributed over 10,000 food parcels, serving hundreds of refugee families at the peak of the crisis.
• Support for Unaccompanied Children – We provided residential care for 43 unaccompanied refugee children who fled from an orphanage in Ukraine. Children on the Edge helped to refurbish a centre in Bucium to house the children - and established an experienced team of staff, social workers and psychologists to support them.

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YEAR TWO: LONG TERM SUPPORT

As the crisis evolved, so did our response:

• Community Hub in Romania – In 2023, a safe, welcoming space was established where over 1,300 refugees accessed activities, social support, and educational opportunities, many led by refugee volunteers. The centre became a lifeline for many refugee families in Iasi, with an average of 17 activities running per week mainly led by refugee volunteers. Over 1,314 different people accessed the community centre, which represented over half of the refugee population in Iasi.
• Ongoing Care for Children – We continued to support the group of unaccompanied refugee children, ensuring stability and emotional healing through professional care and structured activities in their colourful centre in Bucium.

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YEAR THREE: SAFETY, SECURITY & INTEGRATION

From 2024 our sole focus was on providing dedicated individual support to the children from the orphanage. 

These children have thrived, living in the colourful, refurbished Bucium centre in Iasi, where we provided food, clothing and a fun schedule of activities, alongside professional support with trained psychologists, social workers and play therapy. 

Our experienced partners worked with the Child Protection Department in Romania to support the children, who received an excellent level of care from the social workers and one-to-one support from the team’s psychologists.

One of our main focuses was to help the children  integrate into the Romanian education system. Children learnt the Romanian language, and became fluent, but still faced many challenges after having so many years of disrupted education through COVID and the war.  

The consistent, high quality care provided by Children on the Edge saw a continued  improvement in behaviour in the children. Trust, and strong relationships were built between the children and staff.

Of the 43 original children, 26 have now moved on:

• 23 returned to Ukraine to be with extended or foster families.
• 3 transitioned into Romanian higher education or state-run independence programmes.
• 5 more will soon return to Ukraine, to be with extended or foster families. 

The remaining 12, will stay at the centre, but are fully integrated into the Romanian care system and will continue to receive state support from the  Romanian Child Protection department. 

MEET GRYGORIY

18-year-old Grygoriy* was taken into care as a teenager in Ukraine as his father was unable to look after him and his sister. Grygoriy and his sister were part of the group that fled the war in 2022.

​Since being at the children’s centre we support in Romania, he has worked closely with the social worker and psychologist who have helped him feel settled and safe. 

Our partners have been supporting him to prepare for his future, providing him with career advice and helping him to access vocational courses and English language lessons. They said, “Grygoriy is very bright, but found it hard to integrate and think about a future in Romania. Since he has felt more settled, he is positive and excited to talk about what he would like to do.”

*Grigoriy’s name has been changed and a stock photo used to ensure his safety

A LASTING IMPACT

The transition of Ukrainian children into Romania’s care system marks a milestone—these children are no longer seen as refugees but as part of the local community. Their progress is a testament to the dedication of our partners in Romania and the generosity of our supporters.

With refugee needs now met locally, Children on the Edge is stepping back, knowing we stayed for as long as we were needed.

Thank you for enabling us to respond swiftly and remain committed for the long haul. Your support has changed lives and given hope to so many.

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Want to help?

We are only able to respond to crises like these thanks to the consistency and support of our regular donors.

Could you join our community of supporters and make a small monthly gift to Children on the Edge? 

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