The transition to a market economy, the collapse of traditional social support, family difficulties and a resulting breakdown of social ties have had disastrous effects on the well being of the poor and needy in Ukraine. Inequality continues to rise and poverty is high particularly among the old, families with children and single parent families. All the social sectors have been badly affected by budget shortfalls that have undermined their ability to respond to people’s needs.

Although figures are difficult to verify it is estimated from various sources that there are approximately 100,000 children living in state-run institutions. This means that one in every 100 children are without a true home, parental care and a loving family. It is estimated that there are 142,000 children with disabilities.

Their lives can be extremely difficult as the country does not have the infrastructure to cater for them, they are often excluded from main stream education through lack of convenient access. 

In 2008 the President of Ukraine when asked about the orphan children said that the authorities gave adequate funds, but to his mind the problem lay with the administration of these funds.

The problem is aggravated by the fact that currently there are several authorities responsible for management of the orphan children issue. The President insists that this mechanism must be optimized. Children in Ukraine still require the help and support of overseas charities such as Take Hope.