Tom Hiddleston sees UNICEF’s vital work supporting Ukrainian refugee children in Moldova

• Reflecting on his visit to Moldova with UNICEF, where he met Ukrainian refugee children and families who have fled the war, actor Tom Hiddleston said: “It makes me realise that the work that UNICEF is doing here in Moldova is truly lifesaving and urgent.” 

• During the visit, Tom spent time in UNICEF supported schools and early years spaces, where children displaced by the war can learn, play and feel protected.

• Tom Hiddleston’s visit to Moldova will be shown during Soccer Aid for UNICEF on May 31st.

UNICEF UK Ambassador Tom Hiddleston has travelled to Moldova to see firsthand how UNICEF is supporting Ukrainian refugee children and families who have fled the war. In a video diary released today, Tom documents his visit to Chișinău, where he met children and their mothers who were forced to leave their homes following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

A UNICEF film from Tom Hiddleston’s trip will be shown during Soccer Aid for UNICEF, where Tom will also play, returning for his third appearance in the match. The match will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player at 5pm on Sunday 31 May.

During his visit, Tom spent time in UNICEF supported schools and education centres set up specifically for Ukrainian refugee children, including early years and primary age settings. He saw children dancing, studying online, learning languages and making music – everyday activities taking place in UNICEF led spaces designed to help children feel safe and supported.

At the UNICEF funded Divertis Day Centre in Chișinău, Tom met nine-year-old Milana and her mother Yulia, who fled Ukraine after the war reached their home city of Kherson. At the centre, Milana continues her Ukrainian curriculum online while taking part in music, dance and psychosocial activities, helping her feel safe and connected after months of displacement.

Reflecting on the children and families that he met Tom said: “My overwhelming impression of the day really is the extraordinary contrast. The contrast between the light, joy, playfulness, energy and spirit of the children that I met today and the depth of the pain and the descriptions of struggle and difficulty that those children’s mothers and caregivers have told me about.” 

He added:  “They’re thriving, they’re learning, they’re free, they’re imaginative and they feel safe and they seem like happy children.” 

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine took place in February 2022, and it triggered one of the largest displacement crises in Europe in recent history, with around 9.7 million people currently displaced from their homes in search of safety. Neighbouring countries, including Moldova, opened their borders to families escaping the conflict.

Since then, UNICEF has been working continuously to support displaced children, providing safe spaces where they can learn, play and begin to recover, alongside education support, psychosocial care and assistance for families rebuilding their lives in displacement.

Throughout the visit, Tom also heard firsthand accounts from mothers about the danger, uncertainty and courage involved in fleeing Ukraine, often leaving with little idea of where they would find shelter or support.

Tom said: 
“The mothers have recounted the immense difficulty that they have endured and the extraordinary circumstances they’ve found themselves in – the struggles they’ve overcome to protect their children and get them to safety.” 

Reflecting on UNICEF’s ongoing support, Tom added: 
“These children have come from an environment of extraordinary danger, at great risk to their lives, and there are structures and resources in place that UNICEF has provided to keep these children safe, so that they can be children and have a childhood.” 

He continued: 
“This trip to Moldova has brought home to me the realities of those costs. It’s been a privilege to meet these children, to meet these families and mothers and to hear their stories and to see what a difference this work makes.” 

Philip Goodwin, UNICEF UK CEO, said: “Tom Hiddleston’s visit to Moldova shows that for children forced to flee the war in Ukraine, the crisis is an ongoing reality. Years on, many children are still living far from home, trying to learn, grow and feel safe after everything they have experienced. 

“Through UNICEF supported schools, safe spaces and protection services, we are helping children rebuild stability amid displacement, but this work depends on sustained support. 

“Soccer Aid for UNICEF plays a vital role in making that possible. For two decades, it has helped turn public generosity into practical support for children affected by conflict and crisis, giving them the chance to be safe, to learn and to have the childhood they deserve.” 

Tickets for the game are on sale now via socceraid.org.uk/tickets – adult tickets from £20 and juniors from £10. Tickets include access to a pre-game ‘Fan Zone’.

Donations can be made ahead of the match at socceraid.org.uk/donate

The money raised from this year’s game could help UNICEF work with families, communities and trusted partners to bring life-changing support to children around the world, like clean water, vital vaccinations or the opportunity to learn, so that every child can get the best start in life.

Tom Hiddleston has been a UNICEF UK Ambassador since 2015. He has played in the match twice, previously served as manager, and has undertaken trips to Guinea and South Sudan on two occasions to witness UNICEF’s work supporting children affected by conflict and malnutrition.

ENDS 

For more information or interview requests, please contact:

UNICEF UK Media team at [email protected] or 0208 375 6030

NOTES TO EDITORS 

SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF

Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026 will take place on Sunday 31 May at the London Stadium and will be broadcast live exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

Over the last 20 years, Soccer Aid for UNICEF has united millions of people and raised over £121 million to support UNICEF’s vital work helping children grow up safe, healthy and able to play.

Right now, children around the world are facing devastating crises – from global aid cuts, war and climate change to hunger and disease – threatening their childhoods and their right to play.

The money raised from this year’s campaign could help UNICEF provide life-changing support for a child, like clean water and nutrition, vital vaccinations, or the opportunity to learn, so every child can get the best start in life.

For more information and to donate, visit socceraid.org.uk/donate

Soccer Aid for UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service

SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF PARTNERS 

Soccer Aid Productions Limited 

The multi-stakeholder project of Soccer Aid for UNICEF is run by Soccer Aid Productions, a collaboration between UNICEF UK and Triple S Events which is part of the Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group.

UNICEF UK 

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. It also promotes and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. It is a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.

ITV Social Purpose 

ITV’s Social Purpose is about using the power of ITV to shape culture for good, through using creativity and scale to inspire positive change in the world, and to nurture a responsible and inclusive working environment. ITV’s social purpose encompasses four priorities – better health, diversity and inclusion, climate action and giving back, all with their own measurable goals. For more information go to itvplc.com/socialpurpose

Initial 

Initial, part of Banijay UK, has been the producer of all 13 Soccer Aid shows since its inception in 2006. Experienced in making premium entertainment and ambitious reality programmes, credits include hit shows such as Celebrity Big Brother (ITV), Big Brother (ITV), Last One Laughing (Prime Video), 99 To Beat(ITV), Total Wipeout and Tenable.

Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group 

The Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group is a full-service sports and entertainment group operating in multiple industry sectors and countries. As a long-standing and expert agency with highly experienced personnel, it offers a range of services, including: talent management, event management, commercial rights exploitation, financial & legal advice, PR consultancy, social media & digital production, contract, transfer & negotiation management and crisis management services. The Group represents some of the highest-profile sporting professionals in the UK, as well as renowned personalities in the entertainment industry. Triple S has also been responsible for some of the biggest sports entertainment TV events in the UK.