"We are going through so much stress. Not everyone can do it alone. One of my friends figures out what to do with his life without any engagement, consideration, or care. He just chooses anything, whatever it is, even for his future career and life. Please write this down; it’s very important. Don’t let Ukrainian children be lonely in such hard times."

-Male, 16, Warsaw

After almost two years of the escalation of the war in Ukraine, nearly one million refugees are currently registered in Poland, the majority of whom are women and children. As of June 2023, approximately 1.3 million children, with an almost equal split between boys and girls, are under temporary protection in the EU.

The largest number of children are registered in Poland (430,165), followed by Germany (358,215) and Czechia (95,685).

In addition to General Protection Monitoring activities, the International Rescue Committee conducts Child Protection (CP) Monitoring. The aim of this activity is to explore the perspective of children from Ukraine (ages 12-17) on their situation in Poland. In this report (June-September 2023), 50 children were interviewed. Monitoring focuses on the psychosocial consequences of displacement for Ukrainian child refugees, their perception of safety in Poland, their support networks (relationships with family and peers), and their integration into the host community. The social-ecological model and Protection Analysis Framework were used to analyse factors contributing to current risks, operating at several levels: individual, family, community, and society.

Ukrainian child refugees grapple with heightened challenges, including adapting to changes in their school environment, making lifestyle adjustments, facing social difficulties, dealing with acculturation stress, experiencing disruptions in friendships, and enduring the separation of families. Through interviews conducted for this report, it is evident that they face prominent risks such as social isolation, feelings of loneliness, educational obstacles, and instances of discrimination.

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