News stories about the return of children and young people from temporarily occupied territories or from Russian deportation usually end with a final scene: the border, hugs, the words “we are home.” But that is only part of the journey. What follows is the work that is rarely captured on camera: papers, education, medical and psychological support, safe housing, social services, assistance for families, or the search for a family-based or family-like environment.

According to official data alone, around 1.6 million Ukrainian children remain in temporarily occupied territories, while more than 20,000 children have been deported or forcibly transferred to Russia. This is why Ukraine needs a sustainable reintegration system, so that after returning, a child is not left alone with the consequences of what they have endured.

During the discussion, we will focus on this less visible but critically important stage: how post-return support should function and what solutions are needed to ensure that children and young people can truly restore their lives in Ukraine.

Speakers: 

• Alona, a girl whom the Ukrainian Child Rights Network rescued from the occupied territories;

• Daria Kasianova, Chair of the Board of the Ukrainian Children’s Rights Network and Programme Director of the charitable organization SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine;

• Halyna Skipalska, Director of the HealthRight International Office in Ukraine and Executive Director of ICF Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health;

• Myroslava Kharchenko, Chief Legal Specialist at CF Save Ukraine;

• Nataliia Humeniuk, Case Manager at the Ukrainian Children’s Rights Network.

Moderator:
Nataliia Yemets, Coordinator of the Strengthening Comprehensive Reintegration Support for Returned Children project.

Organisers:
Ukrainian Children’s Rights Network and NGO Docudays.