NRC in Ukraine

 
Humanitarian overview

The armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, which began in 2014, has remained unresolved despite diplomatic efforts and numerous cease-fire agreements.

Some 5.2 million people have been affected by the conflict and about 800,000 people are permanently internally displaced. Over 3,000 civilians have been killed. Two million people living in government-controlled areas are exposed to explosive ordnances. It’s not possible to assess the level of mine contamination in non-government-controlled areas, but it is likely to be significant.

About 3.5 million need humanitarian assistance. Civilians living along the contact line, which separates government-controlled areas and non-government-controlled areas, are considered the most vulnerable. Here, employment is scarce, medical care is difficult to access, and many don’t have adequate food, shelter or heating.

Although freedom of movement is a challenge, over one million civilians risk their lives by crossing the frontlines every month, despite armed clashes, to maintain family ties, look after property, and access markets or health care.
 

 
NRC’s operation

We support internally displaced Ukrainians in conflict-affected communities in government-controlled areas of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, especially along the contact line.

Our support addresses basic needs, but as displacement becomes protracted, we have also begun to contribute to durable solutions. Our activities in the country are shifting from emergency relief to early-recovery and recovery.

Information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA)

Between May and August 2019, we provided legal services to 6,756 people.

Our ICLA teams:

• operate four legal aid centres
• dispatch mobile teams of lawyers
• conduct field visits to the settlements along the contact line and settlements hosting internally displaced people
• make home visits to the elderly and people with disabilities, as well as to hard-to-reach communities
• run a telephone hotline and a Facebook page for legal information
• conduct research and advocacy efforts on legal issues concerning displaced civilians and civilians affected by the conflict
• help strengthen the capacity of local lawyers and state-run legal aid centres to support the rights of internally displaced people
   

Livelihoods and food security

 
We work to restore Ukrainians’ self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods. Between May and August 2019, we assisted 482 individuals (100 families) through various projects and activities.

Our livelihoods and food security team:

• provides cash transfers, so people can buy food and meet their basic needs
• assists the most food-insecure households and communities to restore infrastructure of vital importance for community welfare
• provides agricultural assistance to restore production capabilities
• disburses small business development grants to stimulate economic recovery and self-employment
• supports capacity building of local rural organisations
• supports local government to improve employability of internally displaced and conflict-affected people
   

Shelter and settlements

 
We work to make sure that displaced people and civilians along the contact line have roofs over their heads, heating, fuel for winter and essential household items. Between May and August 2019, 212 families (440 people) completed repair works after receiving aid from NRC in form of in-kind materials and cash assistance.

Our shelter team:

• provides emergency shelter, recovery shelter (through light, medium and heavy repairs) and full reconstruction of houses
• prepares civilians for cold winter temperatures with fuel and proper housing insulation

In total, between May and August 2019, we helped 440 people with shelter and household items.