The European Union coordinated the first MEDEVAC operation for transferring Ukrainian children with chronic diseases from Poland to Italy, the European Commission said in a statement.
“The operation was financially and operationally supported by the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and is part of the European solidarity mechanism for intra-EU medical transfers of refugees and displaced people,” it said.
The operation was carried out by an Italian medical team at the request of and in close cooperation with Poland.
All children and caregivers from the orphanage in Vorzel have been evacuated to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv City State Administration said.
“All the children and employees were evacuated from Kyiv city orphanage of Horodetsky, located in Vorzel… They were transferred to one of Kyiv hospitals. Tomorrow the children will be sent to Western Ukraine,” Kyiv City State Administration said in a Telegram on Wednesday.
Kyiv City State Administration said the capital is helping with the evacuation and humanitarian aid to cities located near Kyiv, namely Vorzel, Hostomel, Irpin, Bucha.
According to the statement, some 520 people were evacuated from Puscha-Vodytsia in two days due to the approach of active hostilities. The evacuated people were placed in kindergartens in Kyiv. Part of the inhabitants of Puscha-Vodytsia settled with relatives in other districts of Kyiv.
In Ukraine, more than 40,000 children over 12 years old have already been vaccinated against COVID-19, but today we do not prioritize mass vaccination of children, Minister of Health Viktor Liashko said.
“We have already allowed children over the age of 12 to be vaccinated against coronavirus disease. More than 40,000 children have already taken advantage of this opportunity,” he said at the Ukraine 30. Summit Children’s all-Ukrainian forum in Kyiv on Tuesday.
Liashko said that in some countries of the world, children from five years old are allowed to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and he hopes that in Ukraine, vaccine manufacturers will register changes in the instructions and bring the appropriate drugs, which will expand the vaccination program for children.
“But today we do not prioritize mass vaccination of children against coronavirus disease, since we are focused on the risk group, on older and elderly people. It is a priority for us,” the minister said.
The Verkhovna Rada intends to amend the law on the protection of public morals regarding the protection of the rights and interests of children.
A total of 343 MPs voted for the corresponding bill No. 5330-1 at the first reading.
The bill, in particular, proposes to prohibit creation and distribution of photos and/or videos of sexual or erotic images of children (the current law prohibits the use of images of children in any form only in products of a sexual or erotic nature).
According to the bill, products of a sexual or erotic nature can be distributed only if they are not available to children and are not imposed on consumers.
This year, it is planned to build about 500 social infrastructure facilities to support and develop the young generation of Ukrainians within the framework of the Big Construction project.
A significant part of the Big Construction national program, which was initiated by the head of state, is made up of social infrastructure facilities, the presidential press service said on Tuesday.
So, this year it is planned to build or restore 95 schools, 70 kindergartens, 80 sports facilities and equip almost 200 outpatient clinics. There are about 500 objects in total.
“To make childhood in Ukraine happy, President Volodymyr Zelensky, the government, the Verkhovna Rada and local authorities are taking measures to protect and support young Ukrainians and create the most favorable conditions for their intellectual, cultural and physical development,” the President’s Office says.
