SITUATION OVERVIEW
The humanitarian implications of the conflict in eastern Ukrainian that started in April 2014 remain largely invisible to the outside world despite its substantial human cost, destruction and suffering of thousands of people. While in September and October a significant reduction in fighting in areas along the ‘contact line’ between Government forces and armed groups was observed, the conflict is yet to find a lasting and sustainable solution. This ‘lull’ has subsequently brought relief for civilians in areas close to the ‘contact line’, both in government and non-government controlled areas, who had been living under violence and insecurity almost on a daily basis prior to the revamped ‘ceasefire’ agreed by the parties to the conflict from 1 September. This group is of the highest humanitarian concern as they have been disproportionately affected by the conflict, with 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 commercial supplies of essential goods, social payments and banking services disrupted since November 2014 due to Government decisions. Many people also fled the conflict area seeking refuge within Ukraine and abroad. A number of displaced have returned in the recent weeks owing to a lull in hostilities, however, their exact numbers are not available. The intensification of security incidents since late October may reverse this trend.
On 23 October, the UN received ‘registration’ to resume operations in NGCAs of Luhanska oblast and by the end of October managed to dispatch convoys of aid for the first time since July 2015 when all operations of international aid agencies were suspended in NGCAs. Two international organisations (including UN) have resumed operations in the Luhansk area, while two international agencies are working in the Donetsk area. The scope and gravity of needs in NGCAs exceed the capacity of these partners, while 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. Up to 300,000 people residing along the contact line need warm blankets, fuel, clothes, shoes and when feasible, cash assistance. Other access constraints remain affecting the delivery of aid. Government-imposed undue bureaucratic restrictions continue to slow operations despite constructive dialogue.
Despite all these challenges, between January and October, humanitarian partners provided educational kits and early childhood developments kits to about 186,000 children and over 2.1 million people were provided with access to safe drinking water. More than 228,000 households were provided with non-food items and shelter repairs across the country. About 75,000 people were provided medical consultations. By the end of October, Food Security Cluster partners delivered food vouchers and food parcels to around 304,000 people.
The 2015 Humanitarian Response Plan for Ukraine remains underfunded, according to the Financial Tracking Service (FTS). By the end of October, donors dis- bursed and pledged about US$155 million. The total amount of funding and pledges is about 49 per cent of the $316 million required. This includes $144 million (46 per cent) disbursed and $11 million pledged (3 per cent). The shortfall is about $161 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.