The Ukrainian government implements a protocol for the mandatory evacuation of children who live in cities or villages in active combat zones.
Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, says
"There are 38 children who still stay in Bakhmut. The decision should encourage parents to take the matter of the evacuation of their children more seriously. If adults are unable to take care of the child's safety, then the state should do it".
The decision was made two months after six-year-old Ellia died of a heart attack in Avdiivka, Donetsk region. The girl was scared of constant shelling.
Vlad Makhovsky, a volunteer who helps people in Avdiivka says
"The girl lived in Avdiivka with her grandparents. I met her while they were in the basement hiding from the shelling. The girl told me she was scared. I tried to persuade her family to evacuate, but they refused’
Relatives of children cannot refuse the evacuation any longer.
To implement the protocol of a child’s evacuation, there should be a joint decision of the regional administration, military command bodies, and the Coordination Headquarters on mandatory evacuation.
A child should be accompanied by one of the parents or a legal guardian.
