On February 24, 2022, russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine, striking cities and villages with missiles and bombs.
That horrific morning, millions of Ukrainian children heard the terrifying word “War”.
From 2022 to 2025, more than 600 civilians were killed in Zaporizhzhia region as a result of enemy shelling, including at least 43 children. Over 170 children were injured. Tens of thousands lost their homes due to occupation or bombardment. Hundreds of thousands were forced to flee and became internally displaced.
Today, the foundation’s staff continue working in Zaporizhzhia and in other cities of Ukraine, as well as abroad.
The needs of children are enormous:
- Continuous supply of medicines to hospitals and families with seriously ill children;
- Assistance for families in crisis situations;
- Support in equipping shelters in schools and kindergartens in Zaporizhzhia;
- Health recovery programs for children of Zaporizhzhia region, including children’s trips to the Carpathian Mountains;
- Support for foster families and family-type children’s homes forcibly displaced during the war;
- Assistance for centers supporting internally displaced persons.
Zaporizhzhia Regional Children’s Hospital, 2022, photo by Der Spiegel
Read more publications about the war in Ukraine and the foundation’s activities during wartime.
Since the beginning of the war, thanks to donations from all over the world, the Happy Child Foundation has provided assistance to thousands of children in Zaporizhzhia and other regions in the total amount of more than 62 million hryvnias (as of 01.01.2026).
Everyone can help!
On our website, we report on every hryvnia spent.
