Many Ukrainians face the question of evacuation during the war. Some leave their homes because of active combat operations in their settlements, while others flee from the occupying authorities. There are also those who find themselves in the flooded areas as a result of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station explosion and can no longer stay there. In any case, forced relocation is a stressful event. Especially for children who may not navigate through crowds easily and can easily get lost. This time, the Charity Fund "Direct Inclusion" will provide information on the rules that parents should follow when evacuating with their children.

Keep the situation under control from the very beginning

Before heading to the designated gathering point, take a photo of your child with your smartphone or prepare a recent photo appropriate for their age. If your child suddenly gets lost, strangers will be able to assist in the search more effectively.

Also, always hold your child's hand. Grabbing on to your bag or sleeve, or having them follow you, is not a good idea. In a crowd, it is better to lead children ahead, keeping them within sight.

Conduct a conversation before the planned event

Prepare your child for evacuation: teach them to say their own name and the names of their parents, age, and home address. Label their belongings with your contact number and place additional contact cards in their pockets. It's a good idea to add a copy of your passport and their birth certificate in child's backpack.

You can also explain to your child the rules of behavior if they suddenly get lost. The best advice is to stay in one place and wait for an adult to find them.

If you suddenly find a lost child

If you notice a child without any adults nearby, you should find out their name and determine the last time they saw their parents. After that, take the child to a safe place and call 102. It is possible that the child's relatives have already contacted the police and are searching for them.

The Charity Fund "Direct Inclusion" reminds that mobile network connectivity is often poor in crowded areas, so if a family member gets lost, it will be difficult to make phone calls. It is advisable to plan ahead for such a scenario: discuss a meeting point in case you get separated. If you are going to evacuate with relatives who do not live with you, it is advisable to say what you plan to wear. This significantly increases the chances of finding each other in a crowd.