In the continuing war against Ukraine, it is difficult to differentiate between the frontlines and civilian
areas. The Russian onslaught has been indiscriminate and destruction massive.
Human misery hangs in the air like a pall of dark fumes. In the cities like Mariupol, Kharkiv, Kiev among
others, the casualty cuts across gender and age.
Sight of displaced and homeless dogs is common in ruined residential sections. But the view of a dirty,
haggard seven year old boy, shown in a visual, walking alone down a completely shelled area is
heartbreaking.
With his head dropped low, he apparently had nowhere in mind to go. He must have wondered if he
would see daddy or mummy again as daylight gradually faded.
A collage of visuals from deep inside Ukraine leaves graphic images of woes, tears and blood.
Looking beyond the smoldering debris that fateful day when the Maternity and Children’s hospital was
blown up in Mariupol by the Russians, it was mayhem.
Defenseless children, nursing mothers and the infirm bore the full weight of Russian brutality.
It altered the once lively city demographics; there was virtually nothing to count. Bizzare!
The story is no different in many parts of Ukraine where thousands of innocent children, mothers and
the aged were not spared.
Cries of children under siege and fear continue to be a nightmare for many.
Mariupol reports by Oleksandr Starukh, Head of Zaporizhia Regional administration reveal that buses
evacuating children to safety were fired at. It resulted in wounded children, and some in critical
conditions.
A children’s hospital in Severodonetsk, Luhansk Oblast suffered such a fate also. Fire ensued and the
roof went up in flames. Calamities at every turn.
Families have been split by sheer aggression of the Russians and the weak and those who cannot help
themselves suffer most.
Unaided children fleeing from the pandemonium have even been known to run towards the direction of
the attackers. How sad.
Far reaching consequences will haunt Society for many generations to come.
Former US president, Jimmy Carter once said ‘We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing
each other’s children.’ Nothing could be more apt.
The sight of numerous destroyed residential homes, schools, hospitals and more only brings painful
memories. It reminds us that these were places where love and cheers and laughter of children were
once shared by parents and guardians.
So far, of the millions of displaced persons in Ukraine, 1.5million are children. This is according to a
recent statement from the United Nations Children and Educational Fund (UNICEF). The number could
well be far above that today.
Now, in totality, about 10 million people have fled their homes in the 44 million-population-Ukraine
since the war began.
The figures are staggering and have been collated in a space of only one month since the invasion took
place on February 24.
UNICEF, in a joint release with its partner, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), there
is a charge that ‘Unaccompanied and separated children fleeing escalating conflict in Ukraine must be
protected.’
It noted that the risk of trafficking in children, violence, abuse and exploitation will increase. This is
especially because of the absence of parental care caused by the war.
Following this, the children become more vulnerable to several conditions. Some include the need to
protect them from exploitation of being used for cheap labor and sexual trade.
Others are susceptible to being adopted by individuals or families and couples for different reasons.
Therefore it is advisable, it says, not to undertake the process of adoption during or immediately after a
sudden movement.
It notes that rushing into adoption may not be in the best interest of the child.
Then it advised that every step should primarily be to join the child with its parents or guardian where
possible.
In continuously ensuring to seek the safety of these displaced children in neighboring countries,
documentation and identification are to be done.
There are laid down rules to follow according to what obtains in Ukraine. Moving them across borders
should be reported to the home country and proper identification done.
Many of these children have special physical challenges and are known to live in boarding schools.
In light of this conflict, access to such facilities are lost. More difficult conditions now face them, and
perhaps for a long time to come.
