Canada allocates over $7 million for reintegration of Ukrainian children after returning from abroad
Canada will allocate 10 million Canadian dollars (about 7.7 million US dollars) to UNESCO over the next five years to support the reintegration of Ukrainian children returning from abroad,
Rubryka reports with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada.
"Canada will provide UNESCO with 10 million dollars over five years to fund projects that will aid in the reintegration of children returning to Ukraine from neighboring countries, including those who were illegally deported by Russia," the statement said.
The funding will also be used to "enhance the quality of family-based care and protection services for vulnerable children."
The Ministry highlighted that Canada has already provided over $21.5 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine this year. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Canada's total financial, military, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine has surpassed $15 billion.
Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen visited Ukraine this week. During his visit to Kyiv, he announced that Canada will allocate $5.7 million to support humanitarian organizations working with Ukrainian children.
"I am pleased to announce today that Canada is providing 3.5 million dollars in new funding to Great Britain's International Medical Corps. Additionally, I am pleased to announce 2 million dollars for Save the Children Canada and 200,000 dollars for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This funding will support humanitarian work in Ukraine," he said.
The Minister emphasized that Canada is committed to co-chairing the international coalition with Ukraine for the return of children, providing social and psychological support to children and their families, alongside 40 other countries.
"Canada believes that children should not be pawns in conflict, and we demand that children be returned to their parents and families," Hussen stressed.
He added that, with UNICEF's assistance, funding will also support Ukraine's "Better Care Reform," which aims to transition to a new child care model that prioritizes family-based care.
Ukraine and Canada have launched the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. The Framework Document for the coalition, which outlines its mandate, goals, guiding principles, and areas of activity, has been jointly prepared.
The document also clarifies the roles of coalition members and the ways in which countries can participate, allowing each state to choose its area of focus based on its experience, expertise, and resources.
The coalition's main goals include:
- Coordinating joint efforts,
- Exchanging information, particularly at the intelligence level, to better understand and respond to Russia's criminal actions,
- Combining the resources of Ukraine, partner states, and international organizations to support coalition objectives,
- Activating and coordinating strong joint advocacy and communication efforts.
The United States has also officially joined the coalition, advocating for the safe return of children who were illegally deported and displaced by the Russian Federation during the war. A total of 40 countries are currently part of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.
