Nürtingen, February 2026
Exactly four years after the start of the war in Ukraine, the conflict is not only continuing but is actually intensifying. The already precarious situation, characterised by insecurity, destruction and displacement, has worsened dramatically due to one of the harshest winters in recent years. With temperatures dropping to as low as -20 degrees Celsius and renewed attacks on the energy infrastructure, there are widespread power cuts across the country. In many places, there is a lack of reliable heating and water supplies. More than 12.7 million people are dependent on aid.
For millions of children, everyday life is now marked by more than just the constant wailing of air-raid sirens: they sleep in freezing-cold homes, study in unheated classrooms and seek refuge in underground shelters. In this context, even something as basic as sleep – and with it the ability to dream – becomes a fundamental need denied to many children.
“I’m afraid to close my eyes. Because I keep seeing us fleeing from our destroyed home,” says 9-year-old Illia. He had to flee Kharkiv with his mother and little brother after their home was destroyed by bombing.
“For children in Ukraine, the right to dream means not only the hope of a better future, but also the right to undisturbed nights and a peaceful sleep,” explains Alexander Busl, a board member at ChildFund Germany. “Every night, children are woken by attacks and air-raid sirens and are forced to flee to bunkers, even when the temperature is minus 20 degrees. Many of them have no parents to comfort or protect them.”
Support through psychosocial assistance, safe spaces and essential supplies
Together with long-standing partners, ChildFund Germany is therefore creating safe spaces where children traumatised by war can learn, play and build trusting relationships. After years of isolation, routines and trust must be relearned. Working with children without parental care is particularly delicate: for them, the focus is on reintegration into social life and the necessary psychological support to help them rebuild trust and envisage a future.
The child protection organisation supports the mental health of pre-school and school-age children affected by war, including through the use of the ‘Healing Forest’ methodology. Within this therapeutic approach, nature is specifically used as a therapeutic element to help process trauma. The first groups of children to have completed the programme show significant improvements in stress management and their mental wellbeing.
ChildFund Germany also provides affected families with essential supplies such as food, clean water, hygiene items, clothing and blankets. At the same time, school education is being safeguarded through online lessons and by equipping schools that are still operational with materials that enable lessons to continue safely in bunkers during air raid alerts.
In light of the particularly cold winter, the organisation, together with its partners, is taking additional protective measures for children and families. A further 19 heated shelters have been brought into operation, and the functioning of heating and water systems is being ensured in other shelters and healthcare facilities.
In addition, children are receiving targeted mine awareness training tailored to the specific risks of the winter months. This is because limited visibility and damaged infrastructure increase the risk of coming into contact with explosive remnants of war.
To date, ChildFund Germany has provided over 1,500 children and adults with access to shelters, psychosocial support and educational programmes. More than 3,000 people have received vouchers for basic food supplies and over 3,000 hygiene kits have been distributed. In addition, 100 houses have been repaired and three healthcare facilities rehabilitated.
Defending the right to dream today means ensuring protection, reliable education and psychological support. So that children and young people can believe in tomorrow again and fall asleep without fear.
ChildFund’s work in Ukraine
ChildFund Germany has been active in Ukraine since 2014, implementing development cooperation projects in the fields of education, social entrepreneurship and health. Following the start of the large-scale invasion in February 2022, ChildFund immediately expanded its work to include humanitarian aid in order to help those affected by the war. From the outset, long-standing local partner organisations were mobilised to respond to the emergency. A particular focus is on projects promoting the mental health and well-being of children. Together with the ChildFund Alliance, humanitarian work in Ukraine has continued uninterrupted ever since. At the same time, ChildFund Germany has continued its long-standing commitment to creating vocational and employment opportunities for young people and promoting social entrepreneurship. ChildFund Germany maintains an office in Lviv for operational implementation.
Copyright: Hugo Weber