Ukraine Child Protection: Do/Dont’s for Partners

Country: Ukraine Sources: Child Protection Area of Responsibility, UN Children’s Fund Please refer to the attached file. BEFORE EVACUATION (Preparedness and Decision Phase) Government DO • Lead evacuation decisions in coordination with child protection authorities and social services. • Prioritize family evacuation together by addressing barriers such as transport, housing, and access to services. • Ensure information dissemination to affected families and children on available services. • Provide guidance on family preparedness and maintaining communication during evacuation. • Maintain close coordination among social service, child affairs and Police for safe evacuation procedures. • Ensure children’s affairs services or social workers are involved in decisions affecting children. • Identify children in higher-risk situations (children with disabilities, children in alternative care, separated children). • Establish clear procedures for registration and documentation before evacuation begins. • Ensure receiving communities and authorities are prepared to receive evacuated families and children. • Advocate for the consistent application of the Do No Harm principle, the Best Interests of the Child, and a child‐centered approach that fully integrates an intersectional lens. This includes recognizing and addressing the diverse vulnerabilities linked to ethnicity, age, disability, gender, and the rights and needs of children with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. • Ensure that comprehensive safeguarding procedures are established and implemented in ways that are age‐appropriate, gender‐responsive, and sensitive to the distinct protection risks faced by different groups of children including those with disabilities.

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