EU offers expert help for Ukraine’s psychological rehabilitation program for children with war trauma

Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during the latter's visit to Kyiv on May 9. At the meeting, the European Union offered expert help in developing a psychological assistance program for children from Ukraine who have experienced war.

First Lady Zelenska reported on the results of the meeting with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

"The focus is on the psychological rehabilitation of Ukrainian children. Young Ukrainians are going through a difficult time due to the war: training in bomb shelters, moving to new countries, lack of communication with relatives and friends, etc.," she wrote. "There are also 364 children whom Ukraine returned from Russia. They survived kidnapping, separation from loved ones, persuasion that 'no one in Ukraine needs them,' threats, and even physical violence." 

Zelenska noted that von der Leyen offered EU expert assistance. Still, a unique aid program for Ukrainian children will be developed by Ukrainian specialists, "just as they are already doing it for the psychological camp that rehabilitates children who lost loved ones in the war."

The first lady stressed that the country is providing powerful psychological assistance in response to the terrible war experience in Ukraine so that "no one is left with the experience alone."

As reported, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, arrived in Kyiv on May 9 to celebrate Europe Day with Ukrainians. On the day of the visit, the politician met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.