A refugee crisis looms from the invasion of Ukraine which, as World Vision Australia says, will hurt children the most.

The Australian charity and aid agency has been gearing up over recent weeks to deal with a mass displacement of Ukrainians trying to escape the conflict. It's estimated between three and five million people will flee their homes.

World Vision Australia CEO Daniel Wordsworth said his organistion was ready to respond and support Ukrainians seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, but Australians can help the cause.

“This has the potential to be Europe’s biggest refugee crisis since WWII,” he said.

“If you think around one million refugees from the Middle East arrived in Europe in 2015-2016, and about 1.5 million were displaced after the 2014 Russian invasion of Crimea, this crisis would dwarf both of those.

“We are equipped and ready to respond through our office in Romania, in the expectation that children and their families will be forced from their homes in Ukraine and need emergency assistance.”

Ukraine was already in a dire humanitarian situation, he says, after almost eight years of a war that has claimed around 13,000 lives (3400 civilians), displaced more than 850,000 people and led to almost three million needing emergency assistance.

“This latest aggression will undoubtedly lead to more civilian casualties, soaring humanitarian needs and a massive number of displaced people – many of whom will be children," says Mr Wordsworth.

“Behind the rolling news coverage is a devastating reality: almost eight million children in Ukraine living through bombing and air raid sirens, all the fear and anxiety that brings, and the risk of serious psychological harm as they are forced to flee their homes in freezing weather.

“On top of the potential for physical harm, that’s an awful lot of emotional distress for a child to bear.

“People everywhere are sick and tired of brutes and bullies ruling the world and fueling situations like this. It is heart-breaking that countless children will bear the brunt of this conflict, forced from their homes and schools as they flee in search of safety, and facing the prospect of long-lasting trauma. 

“We’re asking the Australian people to join with us in coming to the aid of a country already ravaged by conflict and uncertainty and facing the prospect of a disastrous humanitarian crisis.”

You can help the people of Ukraine by donating to World Vision’s Ukraine Refugee Appeal at www.worldvision.com.au/global-issues/world-emergencies/ukraine-appeal.