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

鈥淭his is an emerging humanitarian crisis, it鈥檚 actually getting worse by the day,鈥� said Michael Messenger, CEO, World Vision Canada. 鈥淲e know that within Ukraine, we鈥檝e got hundreds of people killed and thousands of people wounded. Unfortunately, that includes children.鈥�

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.

鈥淭o give you a sense, that鈥檚 about 10 times the population of 91大黄鸭 just within a week escaping,鈥� said Messenger. 鈥淢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.鈥�

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.

鈥淐hildren often bear the biggest brunt of a disaster,鈥� added Messenger. 鈥淭hey are living under these conditions and are faced with mental and emotional stress. They鈥檝e lost loved ones and families are fractured.鈥�

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.

鈥淪o kids who often feel helpless and are so deeply dependent on others for care, often feel this the worst,鈥� said Messenger. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why our response in working with refugee families includes psychological first aid, it sits right alongside meeting some of those basic physical needs.鈥�

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

鈥淢y point will be to support the teams there, gather resources, and share the stories of families. That鈥檚 also to inspire Canadians to understand the situation to care and of course to give.鈥�

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.

鈥淚鈥檓 a father myself,鈥� said Messenger. 鈥淲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. That鈥檚 the situation that families are facing leaving Ukraine.鈥�

Read More: People from all walks of life are answering Kyiv鈥檚 call to arms

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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