The Foundation, which has been operating in Eastern Europe for the last 30 years, is currently working in Moldova to provide emergency aid for refugees arriving from Ukraine. We are providing assistance in new reception centres in Moldova, especially with psychological support for the children. Alongside providing personalised support that focuses on the needs of individual children and helps them overcome fear, trauma and insecurities, eight psychologists will be running group sessions. The focus here is on topics such as self-confidence, active listening and observation, getting along with peers, constructive communication and conflict resolution. In addition, we have worked together with experts to train eight pedagogical specialists and have developed a methodological guideline. This will help the educators to run extracurricular activities with the children and young people and also to address the specific needs of the refugee children.

The consequences of the conflict in Ukraine are also being felt 2,000 kilometres to the west. Around 60,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Switzerland in recent months. Between 50 and 70of them are currently staying in the Pestalozzi Children’s Village in Trogen. Here, they have found a temporary home. They are provided with safe accommodation, food and the opportunity to rest. Our Care Team also coordinates their registration process and accompanies the residents in groups to the relevant federal asylum centre in order to help our guests to find longer-term accommodation elsewhere.