Children need support every day. The Polish Red Cross responds to their needs

As many as 364,000 Polish children live in extreme poverty. What does this mean? In practice, it means a lack of fulfillment of basic needs related to nutrition and healthcare, which threatens the health of the youngest, and in extreme cases, even their lives.

From May to August, children are at the center of interest for the Polish Red Cross. In the Daily Help campaign, we will try to show that they are at a stage of life that shapes future opportunities and predispositions, and the physical and psychological consequences of neglect in the areas of adequate nutrition, healthcare, and stable living conditions will be felt throughout their lives.

Child poverty can be invisible because it does not always mean extreme situations. It often manifests itself in daily shortages: a warm meal, support in learning, or the ability to spend time in the same way as peers. For this reason, the activities of the Polish Red Cross focus on systematic assistance that not only responds to current needs but also builds a sense of security and offers a chance for a better tomorrow.

In 2025, the Polish Red Cross provided assistance to nearly one million people, about 130,000 of whom were children. Among the organization's most important activities were:

The help of the Polish Red Cross is not limited solely to meeting the basic material needs of children. Equally important are the activities supporting the emotional and social development of the youngest.

The organization runs day-care centers, educational and integration activities, and also provides psychological support. Thanks to this, children can not only catch up on schoolwork but also build self-confidence, develop interests, and cope better with difficult experiences. Support also reaches children with disabilities, those in orphanages, and the youngest with migratory experiences.

It is these activities that help counter feelings of exclusion and ensure that children do not see themselves as "worse" or "poorer" than their peers. They can grow up in friendly and comfortable conditions.

"Children need support every day", because every day they face difficulties and need: regular meals, stability, access to education, and care to function properly. One-time support does not solve the problem, which is why systematic assistance is so important. Often even small but regular actions can truly change the lives of the youngest. Daily care gives a chance to break the cycle of poverty and build a better future. By helping children, we invest in society as a whole.