On February 22, 2024, a press conference was held at the premises of the Austrian environmental organization Global 2000 in Vienna as part of the “Children of Chernobyl” program. The main goal of the event was to draw the attention of Austrian citizens to the war in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for 10 years, and to garner support for Ukrainian children.
In addition to journalists from national and local publications, political and public figures from Austria and Ukraine, as well as a refugee family, were present at the event. The press conference began with the sound of sirens to make all attendees feel the alarming state of danger that Ukrainians face every day.
“Although we have been able to adapt to the terrible circumstances of full-scale war and are trying to help as many children as possible, the danger for us and our wards remains. Ukrainian cities are bombed and shelled every day, with many deaths and injuries among the civilian population. Children suffer particularly severely – their childhoods, happy families, and health have been taken from them,” says Julia Konotopzeva, director of the NGO “Global2000 for Ukrainian Children”.
Continuous combat operations have a direct impact on the level of pediatric oncology. Marina Kucherenco, head of Children’s City Hospital No. 16 in Kharkiv, joined the event online from Kharkiv and talked about the consequences of the war for children’s health in the region.
“Today, the health situation of children in Ukraine is extremely difficult. The approximate forecast of specialists for the increase in oncopathology in Ukraine is 10%-15%. Factors such as the presence of toxic combustion products in the air after shelling, heavy metals in water and soil, which appeared as a result of spraying rocket fuel, burning and decay of materials from which ammunition is made, which fly to our long-suffering country, chronic stress from war – all this affects the health of adults and children,” shares Marina Kucherenco.
The environmental organization GLOBAL 2000 has been supporting children and youth in Ukraine for almost three decades.
“Since the start of full-scale war two years ago, we have witnessed a catastrophic worsening of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. Therefore, it is extremely important for us that the cooperation between the city of Vienna and GLOBAL 2000 regarding specific projects on the ground continues and is strengthened. We focus our efforts on institutions that accommodate and support displaced persons. Obviously, after, hopefully, the soon end of hostilities, the issue of water purification will have a high priority,” says Jürgen Chernogorski, advisor on ecology and climate from the city of Vienna.
In order to provide an opportunity for as many children and young people as possible to take a break from the war, GLOBAL 2000 organizes three-week health holidays for children in Austria every year. The city of Ibb on the Danube has been a reliable partner since 1996.
“After initially, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then due to full-scale war, we couldn’t hold vacations, we were very happy to resume them last year! The nature and warmth of the residents are a guarantee of a great time, adventure, relaxation, and friendship. Therefore, it is now especially important that children can take at least three weeks to forget their worries, fears, and feel safe in Austria,” emphasized Deputy Mayor of Ibb on the Danube, Dominik Schlater.
As part of the event, a photo exhibition “Spirit of War” by Ukrainian photographer Volodymyr Oksamitny was presented, showing current war photos from Ukraine and allowing residents of Vienna to glimpse and “touch” the reality of Ukrainians.
“I am very grateful to the entire Global team for the high-quality organization of the event, as well as to all the people present at this press conference for their attention to the important topic – the lives of children during the war. Our wards are constantly supported by ordinary residents of Austria, we bow low to everyone!” concludes Julia Konotopzeva.
Photo: Ilya Mitin and Valeriia Chernyuk