Support for Ukrainian Children: Olena Zelenska's Visit to Italy
During her visit to Italy, Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska engaged in discussions with international partners aimed at enhancing support for Ukrainian children and youth.
The President's wife met with Rym Al Hashimi, the UAE Minister of International Cooperation, Giovanni Accione, the head of the Italian Association of Foundations, Laurent Saint-Martin, the French Minister for Foreign Trade, Pierre Elbrun, the Special Representative of the French President for Assistance to Ukraine, and representatives from the French business community.
In these meetings, the First Lady shared findings from the "Future Index" research, indicating that 44% of Ukrainian children may exhibit signs of potential PTSD.
"According to UNICEF research, 61% of parents report that their children show signs of stress and sleep issues. Such outcomes arise from the war, loss, displacement, and constant risk," emphasized Olena Zelenska.
The team of the Olena Zelenska Foundation presented the "12-21" initiative, which aims to create barrier-free youth spaces for psychosocial support, career counseling, and leisure activities for those aged 12 to 21. The first five of these spaces will open in Ukraine this year, including one in Kryvyi Rih, funded by Italy with 1 million euros.
Olena Zelenska and Rym Al Hashimi discussed further cooperation in three main areas of the Foundation's activities: support for family upbringing, access to education, and psychosocial assistance. She noted that the UAE government is a key partner in the "Childhood Address" project aimed at building housing for large foster families displaced by the war.
"With the support of the UAE, we have already constructed ten such homes. Today, we discussed the status of building ten more, financed this year. We are already looking for families and land plots for them," the First Lady highlighted.
During her meeting with Laurent Saint-Martin, Pierre Elbrun, and business representatives, the discussion centered around the safety of educational environments. Olena Zelenska mentioned that the Foundation has restored 17 shelters in schools and kindergartens, with another 17 in progress, and plans to establish at least 50 shelters next year.
Olena Zelenska expressed her gratitude to all Foundation partners and Ukraine for their support of Ukrainian children.
