In response to the grave humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine, our team is spearheading a new initiative aimed at supporting Ukrainian children forcibly abducted by Russia and who have subsequently returned to Ukraine. Leveraging our expertise in providing psychological support for veterans, displaced women and children, as well as our youth programs, Maple Hope Foundation is well-positioned to address the urgent needs on this issue.
The decision to launch this initiative was informed by harrowing statistics and reports documenting the abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children by Russian agents.
According to Kateryna Rashevska, a legal expert at the Regional Center for Human Rights, since February 18, 2022, Russian Federation agents have taken at least 19,546 children from Ukraine, including orphans and children deprived of parental care. These actions constitute a violation of international law and have been recognized as war crimes by the International Criminal Court.
In collaboration with Ukraine’s Representative for the Rights of Children, Iryna Suslova, we have been actively working to understand and address the complex needs of these children. Last fall, our team members Tetyana Kostyuk and Pavlo Rozhak, met with Ms. Suslova at the Child Rights Protection Centre in Kyiv. Together, they discussed strategies for supporting children affected by the war.
One of the critical aspects of our work in this space will be to provide comprehensive social and psychological rehabilitation services for these children and their families, leveraging knowledge and expertise from Canada. Recognizing the importance of preserving their identities and rights, we are committed to ensuring that each child receives the necessary care and support to overcome the trauma they have endured.
To fund this initiative, we launched the “Spring of Hope” Benefit Concert series, aimed at raising vital funds to support this line of work. Since March, MHF hosted four fundraising events to benefit this new initiative.
In light of Canada’s role as a co-chair of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, our initiative aligns with broader international efforts to address the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation. As part of this coalition, Canada is committed to supporting Ukraine in bringing these children home to their families and communities.
Together, through collective action and unwavering commitment, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of Ukrainian children affected by this brutal war.
Note: The article includes a quote and information provided by Kateryna Rashevska, Legal expert at the Regional Center for Human Rights, and highlights the collaboration between Maple Hope Foundation and Ukraine’s Representative for the Rights of Children, Iryna Suslova, as well as Canada’s role in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.
Photo credits: Evgeniy Maloletka/AP