Help Rescue Abducted Ukrainian Children and Restore them to Family in Ukraine
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, an estimated 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia and Russian-controlled areas, with some estimates suggesting the number may exceed 100,000. Many of these children are orphaned or have been separated from their families, subjected to forced adoption, psychological trauma, indoctrination, and exploitation.
The return of these children depends largely on private initiatives. While the United Nations has recognized the abductions as war crimes, it has not been actively involved in the recovery process, leaving the task to organizations like Save Ukraine, an AFFEO partner since 2014. Save Ukraine is the largest NGO focused on rescuing abducted Ukrainian children, having successfully returned over 550 children, the largest of any organization.
Save Ukraine coordinates with Ukrainian authorities, international organizations, and human rights groups to locate and return children. Each rescue operation takes months of planning and involves logistical, legal, and psychological support for both the children and their families.
Rescue Process and Costs
The rescue process involves several stages:
• Identification and Search: Collecting information to locate abducted children.
• Return Preparation and Extract: Assisting families and teams with travel, legal documents, and logistics to bring children back to Ukraine.
• Humanitarian Aid and Psychological Support: Providing children with basic necessities such as shelter, food, humanitarian aid, and psychological support upon return.
• Reintegration: Helping children and families reintegrate into new communities through ongoing counseling, skills training, education, and legal support to restore documents and necessary benefits. This includes helping families reunite and providing foster care for children who are orphaned.
Each rescue mission costs $2,482 per child, and their 3-month support for rehabilitation and recovery costs $1,890 per child. In total, to rescue and restore one child to safety and stability in a family is approximately $4,372 per child. Over the next year, Save Ukraine aims to return 375 more children.
The abduction of Ukrainian children is one of the war’s most heartbreaking consequences. Save Ukraine’s efforts to locate, rescue, and reintegrate these children are vital, but much more support is needed. Continued financial backing and international attention are crucial to ensuring more children can safely return to their families and rebuild their lives.
Every day children abducted by Russia and living in occupied territories are at risk of having their names changed and being adopted into a family, never to see their family or home country again. There is an urgent need to act now. Every amount helps a child find a way to healing, safety, stability, and most of all family in their home country. Help give HOPE during these darkest of days to orphans and vulnerable children devastated by war in Ukraine.
Join us and help SAVE A CHILD. SAVE A FAMILY. SAVE UKRAINE!
Save Ukraine is a partner organization of A Family For Every Orphan, a registered 501c3. All donations are tax-deductible.
For more ways to give (via ACH/wire, check, or other gift options) please visit: afamilyforeveryorphan.org/give and note "Save Ukraine" in the memo of your gift.
For further assistance, please contact us at info@afamilyforeveryorphan.org.