Understanding the Orphan Crisis

 Understanding the Ukrainian Orphan Crisis

* this data comes from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Childaid.org, local contacts, and personal experience. 

Around the world, there are an estimated 153 million+ vulnerable children either in orphanages, foster care, or on the streets. In Ukraine, with a total population of 43,734,000 people, there are estimated to be 110,000+ children in state-run orphanages. (pre-war stats)

In Ukraine, the term "social orphan" is used to describe children who have at least one living parent or an extended family member who still has parental or guardian rights. These children may have been placed in the institution by the family or by the government due to things like poverty, neglect, abuse, or several other “social” issues.

These children too often spend years, if not their entire childhood, in an institution because of a lack of advocacy. Ideally, the biological family would take the steps required for reunification. Ideally, the social services would work with the biological family so they know their rights and requirements. Ideally, the rights of the biological family would be surrendered if they do not pursue reunification. Ideally, these children would have the chance to be adopted if they cannot return home. Ideally. But let's talk about the reality. The reality is that most families don’t know or understand their rights to their child(ren). The reality is that often times the families are lied to or convinced that the child is better off in the institution. The reality is that if the steps for reunification aren’t taken, it can take YEARS for a child to gain the status required for adoption. The reality is that many of these children will remain in limbo – not going home, not getting adopted – until they age out of the system and are no longer the government’s problem.

It has to be understood that often times these state-run institutions provide the bare minimum for these children. They grow up trapped in a broken system, without knowing the love and care of a family. Children commonly develop attachment disorders and other social and psychological disabilities. 

These vulnerable children are often still at high risk within the crisis centers, temporary shelters, and orphanages with stories of sexual exploitation and abuse being routinely heard.

This sounds like harsh criticism because it is. There is immense brokenness and a glaring lack of accountability in the Ukrainian Orphan Care System. Sure, there are policies in place that are supposed to protect against this happening – but there is such a lack of accountability that thousands of children are falling through the cracks. 

The ones who age out of the system are not set up for success. In Ukraine, 10-15% of the children who age out of the system die by suicide before they reach age eighteen, and somewhere between 60-70% of Ukrainian orphans quickly become involved in prostitution or other organized crime. Less than one percent make it to a university or higher education.

The reports are disturbing, there is no way around it.

There is on average one orphan with disabilities dying every 3 months due to lack of medical treatment, some reports indicate this is as frequent as every 3 days. And so many cases where a child is surrendered to a state orphanage simply because of a disability.

If your heart breaks by these words and numbers – me too.

I understand that Ukraine is fighting for its life. We are wildly lacking the resources for massive reform in the system, I’m not ignorant of that. But also, what a time in history for Ukraine to stand up and take responsibility for its most vulnerable. I dream and hope and pray and work for better for the children of Ukraine.

Please join us. Please pray for these children, this system they are stuck in, and those of us trying to do better. If you can, financially support this mission which seeks to support the reunification of families and provide consistent visitation and mentorship for children in the orphanages. Help us support the kids who are aging out and soon will need to survive in a world that seems to be even crueler than the one they’ve known.

Please don’t read this and let it break your heart for a moment. Pray on it, tell people, ask how you can serve the vulnerable children in your community, because I promise, this issue isn't unique to Ukraine.