Partnering with UNICEF to support children and families

Acronis Cyber Foundation launched a humanitarian assistance programme with UNICEF’s Blue Dot Hubs between March to May 2022. Like all children driven from their homes by war and conflict, Ukrainian children arriving in neighbouring countries desperately need safety, stability and child protection services, especially those who are unaccompanied or have been separated from their families.

The Blue Dots support hubs are set up in locations where refugees arrive at border crossings and along anticipated routes of principal refugee flows such as Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Italy, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. They are often in conjunction with local municipalities in strategic urban areas or transport hubs (bus or train stations) to provide practical support and information to children and families in their onward journeys. These child-friendly spaces offer a welcoming space for kids to rest, play, and simply be a child at a time when their world has been turned upside down in fear and they are facing the trauma of leaving friends, family and all that is familiar to them.

(Above) On 7 April 2022 at a Blue Dot hub in Isaccea border crossing, Romania, 5-year-old Emma plays with a UNICEF staff member. Emma, her mother Yulia, and her little brother arrived at the hub after traveling from Odessa, Ukraine. UNICEF and its partners are setting up Blue Dot hubs across Romania and the region. These hubs are dedicated to support refugee children and family and their most immediate needs. © UNICEF/UN0622178/Holerga

(Above) On 19 April 2022, volunteer Liza reads a book to Liza (3) and Zlata (3) in the children’s activity room in the Centrul de Afaceri, Transfer Tehnologic si Incubator de Afaceri (C.A.T.T.I.A) in Brasov, Romania, during the visit of President and CEO of UNICEF USA Michael Nyenhuis. C.A.T.T.I.A. is part of a network of Blue Dot hubs, refugee support centers set up by UNICEF and UNHCR, in coordination with local authorities and partners, along key transit routes as the first point of contact and services for children and families, including those fleeing the war in Ukraine. © UNICEFUN0633890Holerga

(Above) On 19 April 2022, Liza (3) is carried by volunteer Liza in the children’s activity room in the Centrul de Afaceri, Transfer Tehnologic si Incubator de Afaceri (C.A.T.T.I.A) in Brasov, Romania, while President and CEO of UNICEF USA Michael Nyenhuis (right) interacts with UNICEF staff and staff from the center in the background. C.A.T.T.I.A. is part of a network of Blue Dot hubs, refugee support centers set up by UNICEF and UNHCR, in coordination with local authorities and partners, along key transit routes as the first point of contact and services for children and families, including those fleeing the war in Ukraine. © UNICEFUN0633840Holerga

The large-scale displacements being seen could have lasting consequences for generations to come. Children fleeing conflict in Ukraine are at heightened risk of human trafficking and exploitation. More than 5 million children require humanitarian assistance as they continue to suffer the consequences of a conflict, not their making.

Acronis Cyber Foundation continues to stand with the children. When the world seems darkest, there are always those whose compassionate actions light a path to happiness and prosperity. Below are the stories of Acronis employees and what they do to make these hard times easier for those most affected.