As the war in Ukraine, instigated by russia in 2022, stretches into its third year, millions of Ukrainian children continue to face difficulties. Frequent air alerts, long power outages, and disrupted communications have become the new normal. For children in regions like Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy (and many other places across all Ukraine), even the simple act of attending school brings anxiety. Before starting the new school year in September 2024, Nova Ukraine provided essential school supplies, including power banks and water bottles, for students in Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy.
Staying connected—to learn but also to talk to parents during long air alerts—is increasingly challenging. Power outages last for hours. The longest air raid alert to date took place in the Kharkiv region, lasting over 50 hours and 30 minutes on July 23, 2024.
As we head into winter months, power shortages are predicted to become more severe. Optimistic projections suggest that Ukrainians will face up to 12 hours of daily power outages, while more pessimistic scenarios warn of outages lasting up to 20 hours per day. Similarly, UN experts warn that outages will last anywhere from 4 to 18 hours per day. Entire regions risk living in hours-long darkness.
For children, these disruptions are so much more than an inconvenience. Imagine being a child, stuck in a bomb shelter, unable to communicate with your family, without power or light for hours on end. Perhaps even harder, imagine being the parent of a child stuck in a bomb shelter away from you. The psychological toll is immense. Access to basic resources like charged devices or fresh water becomes essential for children’s safety and parents’ peace of mind.
Nova Ukraine’s initiative to prepare backpacks for children is, at the heart, about staying sane and connected. Each backpack contains crucial items: school supplies to help get focused and learn, a water bottle to stay hydrated, and a power bank to ensure kids can remain in touch even when power lines go down. The ability to hear a reassuring voice on the other end of a phone call can make all the difference in how they cope with the trauma of war. These items are particularly significant in areas where air raids often last for hours and connectivity is limited. In Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy, these backpacks are a lifeline.
As schools frequently switch between online and in-person classes depending on the situation, the lack of a stable routine leaves many children feeling isolated. Power outages, in particular, complicate remote learning. Children often sit in darkness during air raids, with little access to their schoolwork or communication tools—unless they can rely on tools like those available in the backpacks we provide.
Nova Ukraine’s dedication to supporting the youngest and most vulnerable members of society is a testament to the organization’s understanding of their needs in these times. These impactful gestures become even more critical as winter approaches. Nova Ukraine is not only helping children stay connected, but also offering them hope, resilience, and a sense of normalcy. For Ukraine’s children, Nova Ukraine’s message is clear: “We wish you a successful school year! Let there be less anxiety and more community in your school life!”
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