Instead of sirens – Tien Shan mountains: children of war from Ukraine undergo rehabilitation in Uzbekistan
9 June 2025 20:37
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On the eve of the Eid al-Adha holiday, a group of Ukrainian children from the regions most affected by the fighting arrived in Tashkent. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to a post on the official Facebook page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
The visit of the young Ukrainians to the summer camp was organized with the full support of the Uzbek government in response to an appeal from the Embassy of Ukraine. The main goal of the initiative is to provide children with conditions for psychological rehabilitation and safe recreation in a peaceful environment. The program will last for 12 days and includes not only leisure activities but also specialized psychosocial support.
The children came to Uzbekistan from Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Khmelnytsky, Lviv and Kyiv, cities that are regularly subject to air raids, shelling and infrastructure damage.
At the Tashkent International Airport, the children and their accompanying persons were greeted by the authorities and the program organizers. The participants then traveled to a picturesque valley in the foothills of the Tien Shan Mountains, where the health camp is located, where the children will spend almost two weeks.
The first evening in the camp was held in a warm, emotional atmosphere: the organizers made sure that every child felt welcome.
According to the Ukrainian diplomats, the reception and the conditions of stay demonstrate the unprecedented level of involvement of the Uzbek side: almost all relevant ministries and government agencies of the country have joined the program.
We are grateful to all those involved, from the initiative to the brilliant implementation, which gives Ukrainian children a break from shelling and air raids,” said Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Uzbekistan Mykola Doroshenko.
“Each day of their stay is filled with thematic activities: children will participate in cultural events, creative contests, sports competitions, excursions and educational workshops. The planned events include the Day of National Values, the Day of Sports and Health, and meetings with local cultural figures. This approach provides not only entertainment, but also a therapeutic effect – children can switch from their experiences to something positive, feel cared for and accepted.
Special attention was paid to psychological support: specialists are working to help children cope with anxiety caused by the war. The organizers emphasize that the entire program is designed to meet the needs of children who have gone through traumatic experiences, and therefore contains a balanced combination of emotional relief, recreation and socialization.
The initiative has become an example of a profound humanitarian gesture on the part of Uzbekistan, which has consistently demonstrated support for the Ukrainian people in the international arena. In addition to the rehabilitation aspect, the trip has another important mission: to help Ukrainian children see that there is another life outside of war: without sirens, fear and constant stress.
At the end of the program, the participants are expected to return home with new impressions, strengthened strength and the feeling that they are not alone with their pain.
This humanitarian mission is not the first such initiative, but its scale and level of organization already allow us to speak of the exceptional involvement of Uzbekistan as a partner interested in the long-term effect of supporting Ukrainian children.
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Anor Camp: a health camp in Uzbekistan that accepts children from the frontline regions of Ukraine
In the foothills of the Tien Shan Mountains, 60 kilometers from Tashkent, there is a state children’s health camp Anor Camp. It operates on the basis of modern infrastructure and has a clear focus on health improvement, psychological support and comprehensive development of children. In summer, the camp opens its doors to children aged 7 to 14, including those from Ukraine.
Anor Camp is located in a 10-hectare pine forest in the Bostanlitz district of Tashkent region. The territory has sports grounds, a swimming pool, a stage for performances, and eco-trails. The camp is designed for 200-250 children per shift, each of which lasts about 12 days.
Accommodation is in comfortable rooms for 8-12 children. Meals – five meals a day, balanced, taking into account age needs. Medical care is provided by a pediatrician of the highest category, emergency services are constantly on duty on the territory, and video surveillance is in place. Security is guaranteed by the National Guard and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan.
The camp program includes daily themed days ranging from sports to national culture. Children take part in sports competitions, excursions, creative workshops, theater performances, competitions, learn foreign languages, and are engaged in choreography and robotics.
The camp operates with the participation of several specialized ministries of Uzbekistan, which indicates a high level of government support. The cost of a commercial shift is about 2.1-2.2 million soums (about $200), but for Ukrainian children, their stay is funded by humanitarian aid.
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