The Journey of Hope program, run by international charity Save The Children, was due to begin in classrooms around the Riverina this term.

But amid ongoing uncertainty around when students will return to full attendance, the program has had to be postponed indefinitely.

The cancellation has prompted some concerns that students who have experienced trauma will have their mental health needs compounded by the ongoing uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation.

"For children, the fires were terrifying. Some lost their homes, had to spend extended periods of time away from a parent who might have been staying back to protect their house, others will have feared for their lives," said Danielle Brunton, program manager.

"Then when the fires were finally put out, communities were faced with threats from the COVID-19 pandemic, which is a crisis we have not experienced before in Australia."

During the worst of the fires across the region, teams from Save the Children travelled to Wagga to set up child-friendly spaces in the Equex Centre evacuation point.

"For children already suffering potential trauma or other mental health-related issues from the bushfires, COVID-19 provides a huge additional layer of stress and uncertainty."

Although the resumption date will be determined when travel and congregational restrictions are relaxed, Ms Brunton said the team is already working out how to deal with the COVID-19 trauma.

"We know that children in some parts of the Riverina and Snowy Mountains regions area are suffering, and facing emotional challenges they shouldn't have to face," Ms Brunton said.

The program itself has proven adaptable, having been developed in response to the Hurricane Katrina fallout of 2005.

Since its inception, it has been used in schools around New Zealand following the devastating 2011 earthquakes.

"While we've had to pause the rollout of the program due to school closures, we're adapting so we can also cater to the pressing needs of thousands of children affected by the bushfires as well as the additional emotional impacts of COVID-19," Ms Brunton said.

"I cannot emphasise strongly enough the importance of supporting and protecting children's mental health in the aftermath of disasters like these."

Schools looking to get onboard with the program are encouraged to contact roslyn.johnson@savethechildren.org.au.