Ukraine

Ukraine is Europe’s second-largest country, and the first entirely European, with over 44 million inhabitants, and a high HDI of 0.773 in 2021. The country borders the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south, Russia to the northeast and east, Belarus to the north, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary to the west, and Romania and Moldova to the southwest. Ukraine became an independent state after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, despite poorly defined borders that are subject to various claims. Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, MAP has funded four humanitarian convoys carrying essential foodstuffs, warm clothing and equipment. As part of the reception of Ukrainian refugee children in Italy, MAP has supported a project for the integration and psychological follow-up of children in Padua, in collaboration with the Mission Bambini Foundation. A field visit took place in February 2023.