Three years of intense conflict in Ukraine have pushed millions into financial hardship. Nearly 75% of Ukrainians face poverty, with women and children bearing the brunt. Save the Children reports that families are struggling to afford basics like food, hygiene products, and clothing.
Thousands of Ukrainians have lost loved ones, homes, and jobs. Along with the emotional toll, they now face financial ruin. Rent, utilities, and food prices have skyrocketed, deepening the crisis across Ukraine.
DESPERATE MEASURES TO SURVIVE
Many families in Ukraine are forced to sell homes, take high-risk jobs, or reduce essential healthcare spending. In 2025, nearly 5 million people, including many women and children, will face food insecurity in Ukraine.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN AT GREATER RISK
Women and girls represent over half of those in need of humanitarian support. Women-headed households are especially vulnerable, facing lower incomes and reduced access to food and healthcare. Displaced women have lost jobs, and salaries have plummeted from UAH 7,000 to UAH 5,000, exacerbating the crisis in Ukraine.
A new study by Save the Children revealed that 55% of renters in Ukraine cannot pay rent on time. Nearly half of households have requested financial aid for utility bills.
HYGIENE ITEMS HARD TO ACCESS
Access to hygiene products has also become a challenge. 42% of households in Ukraine struggle to buy soap, shampoo, and other basics. More than 10% of women report difficulty obtaining menstrual hygiene products.
TOUGH CHOICES FOR FAMILIES
Poverty in Ukraine is forcing families to make heartbreaking decisions. Some parents have sent their children to institutions for safety, while others send them to relatives in safer regions to ensure their survival.
Raisa, a 61-year-old grandmother, shares her experience of raising her 14-year-old granddaughter, Yana, in a shelter in Ukraine. Having lost her daughter and home, she now faces financial ruin. “Prices skyrocketed,” she says. “We had nothing when we arrived. It’s a hopeless situation.”
Olena, a 31-year-old mother, has moved six times due to the war. Her daughter, Anna, suffers from scoliosis, and they can’t afford necessary medical care. Olena shares the harsh realities of their life: “We have health issues, and the war makes everything harder.”
CALL FOR URGENT ACTION TO SUPPORT UKRAINE’S CHILDREN
Sonia Khush, Save the Children’s Country Director in Ukraine, calls for urgent action. “Children’s lives have been shattered in Ukraine,” she says. “Their childhoods are gone. Immediate action is needed to prevent more suffering.”
Save the Children urges the Ukrainian government and the international community to invest in education, healthcare, and housing. Supporting children’s needs will help them survive the war and rebuild the country after it ends.
Since the war’s escalation, Save the Children has assisted over 3.8 million people in Ukraine. The organization has provided emergency cash, winter supplies, and hygiene products. More support is needed to ensure families in Ukraine can survive the ongoing conflict.
MOVING FORWARD: ADDRESSING CHILD POVERTY IN UKRAINE
As the war continues, the country faces an urgent need to address child poverty. Without support, millions of children will continue to suffer. Governments and organizations must prioritize long-term solutions for Ukraine’s most vulnerable.
