PROBLEMS AND NEEDS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED CHILDREN DURING THE WAR: THE ROLE OF CIVIL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Abstract

The article analyzes the legal, institutional, and practical mechanisms for protecting internally displaced children (IDCs) in Ukraine during wartime, emphasizing the role of civil society and international organizations in implementing state social protection policies for children affected by armed conflict. Particular attention is paid to the study of crosssectoral cooperation between state institutions and non-governmental organizations in providing social, psychological, and material support to internally displaced children. The research applies a systemic-structural and comparative approach, which made it possible to analyze the current Ukrainian legal framework governing the rights of displaced children – including the Laws of Ukraine “On Ensuring the Rights and Freedoms of Internally Displaced Persons,” “On the Protection of Childhood,” “On Social Services,” as well as relevant decrees of the Cabinet of Ministers and orders of the Ministry of Education and Science. An analytical method was used to generalize statistical data and reports from international organizations such as Caritas Ukraine, Save the Children, UNICEF, and World Vision International, which reflect the scale of humanitarian, educational, and psychological assistance provided to children in Ukraine. The descriptive-analytical method enabled the evaluation of these programs’ effectiveness and the formulation of recommendations for integrating their best practices into national policy. A comprehensive analysis of the legal foundations and practical mechanisms of social protection for internally displaced children under wartime conditions was conducted. The study identifies the role of leading charitable and international organizations in providing integrated assistance that encompasses educational, psychological, social, and material components. The article substantiates the need to create a national support system for displaced children in Ukraine based on the model of «Child-Friendly Spaces», which would combine state programs with non-governmental practices. Additionally, it proposes the implementation of a state program titled “Safe School,” inspired by the “HOVORY” (“Speak Up”) project of the Ukrainian Catholic University’s Center for Child Dignity. This initiative introduces electronic safetyreporting tools and promotes a culture of secure educational environments for children. The study’s findings indicate that the existing system of social protection for internally displaced children in Ukraine requires further improvement and institutional strengthening. Despite a well-developed legal framework, implementation at the community level remains inconsistent due to personnel shortages, financial constraints, and limited psychological services. Civil and international organizations play a crucial role in addressing these gaps, ensuring timely responses to the needs of children and their families. To enhance the effectiveness of state policy, it is advisable to integrate successful humanitarian practices into the national social protection system — including targeted cash grants, psychosocial support programs, and the expansion of local child assistance centers in every community. Implementing these measures would help establish sustainable mechanisms for protecting children’s rights, improve social safety, and restore the psychological well-being of children who have experienced forced displacement.