SITUATION OVERVIEW
In the eyes of the world the humanitarian consequences of the Ukrainian conflict are largely invisible, despite the fact that many people have lost their lives or one of their dearest, witnessed violence, or lost all their possessions. Since April 2014, the conflict has caused substantial humanitarian suffering across Ukraine, despite the ‘Full package of measures’ agreed in Minsk on 12 February 2015, and the recently renewed ceasefire. The situation is, however, still volatile.
The highest humanitarian concern is for the people living in areas close to the ‘contact line’, both in government and non-government controlled areas who continue to face insecurity, limited access to basic services, movement restrictions and severe protection concerns. In addition people living in non-Government controlled areas (NGCAs) has seen their freedom of movement, access to life-saving services, to goods, banking services disrupted since November 2014 owing to Government decisions. Many people also fled the conflict area, within Ukraine and abroad. The situation of this group is highly dynamic. Many frequently travel across the contact line towards NGCAs to check on families and properties or to GCA to access pensions, social benefits, or services and goods. Several displaced have returned in the recent weeks owing to a lull in hostilities.
Temperatures already dropped substantially and provision of winter packages, including emergency shelter and non-food items (NFIs), food and other items is a key concern as access continues to be a problem in many areas. Minus 20 degree Celsius temperatures in conflict-affected area require ‘quick fix’ repairs for roofing and glazing to winterize collective centers and homes to help vulnerable people get through the winter. In addition, up to 300,000 people residing along the contact line require distribution of warm blankets, solid fuel, clothes, shoes and when feasible, cash assistance. As temperature drops food security needs intensify as people need a substantially increased energy intake. Health risks will increase in winter, particularly for those without adequate shelter or heating.
Humanitarian access remains severely constrained. Since the beginning of the crisis, government-imposed undue bureaucratic restrictions slowed considerably operations and despite constructive dialogue, requirements remain heavy for humanitarian actors to deliver aid close to the contact line, including in government controlled areas, and in NGCAs. A major breakdown of humanitarian aid delivery occurred in July 2015, when the de facto authorities of Donetsk and Luhansk imposed equally daunting restrictions and eventually stopped operations until such time organizations get ‘registered’. Minor progress has been observed, and a handful of organizations resumed operation, but this is insufficient to cater for existing needs.
Despite challenges between January and September, humanitarian partners provided educational kits and early childhood developments kits to about 180,000 children, close to 1.8 million people with access to safe drinking water. More than 200,000 households were provided with non-food items and shelter repairs across the country. About 59,000 people were provided medical consultations. By the end of September, Food Security Cluster partners delivered food vouchers and food parcels to around 300,000 people.
The 2015 Humanitarian Response Plan for Ukraine remains underfunded, according to the Financial Tracking Service (FTS). By the end of October, donors disbursed and pledged about US$143 million, an increase of $7 million since the end of September. The total amount of funding and pledges is about 45 per cent of the $316 million required. This includes $133 million (42 per cent) disbursed and $10 million pledged (3 per cent). The shortfall is about $173 million. National actors, with their own private funding, are also substantially contributing to the humanitarian response. Aid agencies are working to ensure complementarity of relief efforts.