The Ukrainian government decided otherwise. Although the war in Ukraine continues to rage and the population is regularly hit by Russian bombing raids, the Ukrainian government is sending back children who were evacuated from homes at the beginning of the conflict and are currently in Europe.
Of the kleine herzen The orphanage supported by the Ukrainian government is located in the city of Kropyvnytskyi, which is considered "safe" by the local Ukrainian government. Nevertheless, it was bombed at the end of March 2025.
What traumas might the children face upon returning to Ukraine? Consider potential challenges: fear of alarms, bomb attacks, adjusting to a new environment, and pressure on already overburdened families.
The Ukrainian government plans to place three-quarters of the children in foster families.
Are families willing to take in these children? Some families are already caring for more than nine children.
Won't repatriation expose these children to the dangers of war again? What takes priority: the right to a foster family or placement in a nursing home in a war-torn country, or the right to safety from the consequences of war?
Supported for three years kleine herzen the Ukrainian orphanage in Austria in cooperation with the company SeneCura, the owner of the hotel where the children are comfortably accommodated, and the Austrian government.
Currently, 52 children between the ages of 3 and 9 live there, more than a third of whom have disabilities, six of them severely. These children receive appropriate care for their physical and mental health and are integrated into the Austrian education system according to their age, while simultaneously receiving online lessons in Ukrainian. SeneCura's hotel is surrounded by nature and offers the children a safe and stimulating environment.
