World Vision Canada is warning that more than 7.5 million children in Ukraine are at risk due to the war with Russia.

sa国际传媒淭his is an emerging humanitarian crisis, itsa国际传媒檚 actually getting worse by the day,sa国际传媒� said Michael Messenger, CEO, World Vision Canada. sa国际传媒淲e know that within Ukraine, wesa国际传媒檝e got hundreds of people killed and thousands of people wounded. Unfortunately, that includes children.sa国际传媒�

Messenger pointed out that more than three million people were already in need of humanitarian assistance before the conflict began, but the biggest concern right now is the flow of refugees to neighbouring countries. More than one million people have already fled Ukraine.

sa国际传媒淭o give you a sense, thatsa国际传媒檚 about 10 times the population of Kelowna just within a week escaping,sa国际传媒� said Messenger. sa国际传媒淢any of them women and children, having gone through incredible trauma and difficulty, and often with just the clothes on their back or a small suitcase.sa国际传媒�

Of the more than 1.2 million people that have already left approximately 500,000 are children. The United Nations predicts as many as four million people could escape the country in the next few months.

sa国际传媒淐hildren often bear the biggest brunt of a disaster,sa国际传媒� added Messenger. sa国际传媒淭hey are living under these conditions and are faced with mental and emotional stress. Theysa国际传媒檝e lost loved ones and families are fractured.sa国际传媒�

Read More: Canada expedites temporary visas for Ukrainians fleeing war

As well, schools are closed, access to basic things such as food, water, accommodation have all been taken away. World Vision has deployed 45 psychologists to the border of neighbouring Romania to comfort and talk with children and families.

sa国际传媒淪o kids who often feel helpless and are so deeply dependent on others for care, often feel this the worst,sa国际传媒� said Messenger. sa国际传媒淭hatsa国际传媒檚 why our response in working with refugee families includes psychological first aid, it sits right alongside meeting some of those basic physical needs.sa国际传媒�

Messenger is travelling to Eastern Europe in the next few days to get a first-hand look at the situation.

sa国际传媒淢y point will be to support the teams there, gather resources, and share the stories of families. Thatsa国际传媒檚 also to inspire Canadians to understand the situation to care and of course to give.sa国际传媒�

World Vision is ramping up its response to help Ukraine, using staff from Romania to help meet the basic needs of children and families crossing the border. That includes food and water, hygiene, medications, and medical supplies. The organization is seeking support from Canadians who want to help with those efforts. Donations and more information about the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine can be found on the or websites.

sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 a father myself,sa国际传媒� said Messenger. sa国际传媒淲hat would it mean for me as a parent to take my kids out of the situation? To scoop them up with almost nothing, and go into the unknown. Thatsa国际传媒檚 the situation that families are facing leaving Ukraine.sa国际传媒�

Read More: People from all walks of life are answering Kyivsa国际传媒檚 call to arms

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.