OVERVIEW
Winterization activities remain severely delayed as all UN and most INGO operations have been suspended since 21 July, because of a registration order imposed by the de facto authorities in non-government controlled areas of Ukraine (NGCAs).
Three million people living in areas beyond Government control are – to various degrees – aected by this decision.
By end October, only two international organizations have been able to restart operations in Donetsk, and two in Luhansk (including the UN). Needs however outweigh the capacity of these partners. While some delivery occured, 16,000 tons of humanitarian assistance, including food, shelter and non-food relief supplies are ready for dispatch. Meanwhile some progress has been made with regards to simplifying the Government’s strict bureaucratic requirements for humanitarian actors to operate close to the contact line (both in Government and non-Government controlled areas). Yet, more must be done to address issues related to freedom of movement for people and goods, resumption of banking and social payments. Basic services in areas beyond government control has been considered ‘illegal’ by the Government of Ukraine since December 2014. Such provisions result in undue hardship for those living in areas beyond Government control.
The international humanitarian community has been urging all parties to the conict and other stakeholders to guarantee and facilitate free and unimpeded access from organizations to all aected people, and for people to services and aid, with bureaucratic procedures and regulations reduced to the minimum.