Canada has announced new funding for programs to assist Ukrainians who have returned from Russian captivity or were illegally deported. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced the allocation of 863,000 Canadian dollars for psychological and social support for affected children and families during an international conference in Toronto dedicated to the return of Ukrainians from Russian captivity.
The announcement was made during a two-day summit organized by Canada in collaboration with Ukraine and Norway. The event brought together representatives from more than 80 countries and international organizations coordinating efforts to repatriate Ukrainian children, civilian hostages, and prisoners of war held by Russia.
How the Funds Will Be Used
The new funding will be directed toward programs that help Ukrainians recover from their experiences in captivity. This primarily involves psychological rehabilitation for children, support for their families, social reintegration, and other measures necessary after their return home.
According to Anita Anand, Canada continues to support Ukraine not only diplomatically but also practically—by helping to locate abducted individuals, return them home, and provide the necessary assistance after their release.
International Efforts Continue
During the conference, more than 50 countries signed the so-called Toronto Pledge—a joint commitment to intensify international cooperation to return Ukrainian children, civilians, and prisoners of war who are being held captive by Russia or were forcibly taken from the occupied territories.
According to Ukrainian officials, since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, approximately 20,000 Ukrainian children have been illegally taken away. So far, about 2,600 of them have been returned. Recently, international efforts have also expanded to include the return of adult civilians and prisoners of war.
Support from Canada
Canada has already invested more than 7 million Canadian dollars in programs to locate, return, and reintegrate Ukrainian children and civilians. The country also supports the use of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence and satellite data, to determine the whereabouts of abducted individuals. A new grant of 863,000 CAD will continue this work and help survivors of captivity adapt to civilian life upon their return.