Since 2023, over 70,000 children who found themselves in a crisis situation took part in psychosocial support activities organized by the Russian Red Cross. Working within Parent and Child Centers, at field sites such as temporary accommodation points (TAPs), schools and social institutions, RRC specialists create dedicated space where children can feel safe, play and recover, and receive psychological assistance if needed.
The program is based on the internationally recognized “Child Friendly Space” concept which is recommended, in particular, by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This is an approach widely used by humanitarian missions worldwide in military conflict, mass-scale displacement, and natural disaster settings. Its methodology is aimed not only to reduce the level of stress experienced by children but also to create a supportive environment that will help them regain trust in the world and cope with emotional difficulties.
“In the work of the Russian Red Cross, this methodology has been adapted to the Russian context. The spaces where our staff and volunteers operate are built around three principles: safety, inclusion, and engagement. Specialists carefully select the format of activities, taking into account the child’s age and condition. During these sessions, children not only play and interact but also learn to talk about their feelings, recognize anxiety, set boundaries, and build relationships with peers and adults. Special emphasis is placed on development of resilience, i.e. the ability to adapt to changing life conditions. If needed, the child is offered personal psychological support,” said Maria Mukhina, Executive Director of the Russian Red Cross.
RRC Parent and Child Centers operate on a permanent basis in ten regions. In another 15 regions, a mobile format is adopted, with specialists and volunteers visiting schools, TAPs, orphanages and other institutions. In the first half of 2025 the program conducted nearly 1,500 activities for children, with the number of participants exceeding 19 thousand. An additional 1,585 parents participated in 218 meetings. More than 70 thousand children and 5,700 parents were assisted since the onset of the project in 2023.
The special feature of the program is its being structured around the child and his or her environment, rather than any particular activity. Children can come to the Center regularly to play, draw, join group activities or talk to their adult family members. This is not a “reception room” for visitors but an open and vibrant space where one feels needed, respected and heard. It is due to this atmosphere of trust that children often start talking about their emotional experiences, and parents ask for assistance.
The program includes a parent support component. The Centers organize special sessions, consultations and meetings for adults to discuss their concerns and learn how to better understand their own children. This is especially important for a family in crisis, when helping the adult is part of the effort to help the child.
This work continues on a permanent basis throughout the crisis period and the aftermath. Even if they work at field sites where activities are irregular, specialists do their best to give recommendations to parents, engage with the local community, and ensure that beneficiaries receive at least the minimal support that can be continued later on. Where Parent and Child Centers are functional, assistance to children is systemic and sustained.
In addition, specialists who work with children conduct regular training. For example, a training session entitled “PSS for Children in Emergency” took place in Veliky Novgorod on August 1-6, bringing together representatives of the regional branches that run Centers, as well as new program participants. Activities of this kind not only teach theory but enable the exchange of knowledge and practical experience in delivering psychosocial assistance to children.
