The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Emergency support to ensure access to education in Ukraine
With funding from the government of Japan, UNOPS is helping children and teachers in Kharkiv access education safely amid the ongoing war.
Latest updates:
October 2025
- Three school buses have been officially handed over to the city of Kharkiv in a ceremony attended by the Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine and the Mayor of Kharkiv. The buses will transport children and school staff to safe education facilities across the city, strengthening access to education even with the ongoing security threats in place.
Children and teachers in Kharkiv face daily risks due to the ongoing war. Located just 30 kilometres from the Russian border, the city has experienced repeated shelling and missile attacks since 2022. These attacks have damaged schools, disrupted education and made it dangerous for students and school staff to reach learning spaces.
To support local communities, UNOPS is working with the government of Japan to improve safety for students and educators. Together, they are building three underground shelters at schools in Kharkiv. These shelters will allow over 1,300 students and nearly 150 teachers and school staff to continue in-person learning while staying protected from missile strikes and air raids.
In addition to shelter construction, three new school buses will be delivered to the city. Each bus is built to be safe and comfortable, with 31 seats and reduced environmental impact. The vehicles will help children and teachers travel to school reliably, even as the conflict continues.
We face a shortage of transport, as many vehicles have been destroyed since the start of the full-scale invasion. I am extremely grateful for this support.
“By the end of the year, we will open three more underground schools, and such assistance is critically important for us,” said Ihor Terekhov, Mayor of Kharkiv.
This emergency support is helping Kharkiv's education system remain open during an extremely challenging time.
“It brings me particular joy that these buses are intended for the children of Kharkiv,” said Masashi Nakagome, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine.
“I am very happy to see the children’s smiles, so I hope that these buses will help them get to school safely,” he added.
By creating safe spaces and reliable transport, UNOPS and its partners are making it possible for children to keep learning and for teachers to keep teaching-without fear for their safety.
“Ensuring access to education during emergencies is vital, children’s learning and well-being cannot be put on hold,” said Massimo Diana, Director of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office for Ukraine and East Europe.
“Together with the government of Japan, we are supporting Kharkiv in creating safer and more resilient learning environments for children and teachers. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to protecting essential services, even in the most difficult circumstances.”
