Despite a fragile ceasefire agreement, the situation remains tense. Regular shelling, exchange of gunfire, and hours spent in bomb shelters is still the reality for many civilians living on the frontlines between separatist and Ukrainian forces.
“These people are deprived of basic life supporting services, such as water, electricity, and medicine, as violence continues to disrupt their daily life” said Mehley.
Today the humanitarian community is launching its annual appeal to donors, with a plan of how to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs in Ukraine. NRC is calling for international donors to do more to improve the living conditions for the most vulnerable conflict-affected population in Eastern Ukraine.
“With little attention in media, and the prospect of reaching a political solution to the conflict appearing increasingly dim, the international community must do more to address the humanitarian situation in Ukraine,” said Mehley.
Last year only 30% of the funds appealed for were received. There is also still a lack of sustained joint efforts to negotiate access to non-government controlled areas, which remain blocked for most humanitarian actors. As a result, civilians continue to have unmet needs, while increasingly draining their reserves as the conflict continues.
During winter the situation becomes even more dire. Nadezhda Vasilievna is a 63 years old pensioner living in Triokizbenka, a village 1,5 km from the frontline.
“We don’t have any gas supply to the village, the pipeline was damaged by shelling, and the local administration says they will not fix it. If we had some gas it would be easier to heat the house and cook food” says Vasilievna.
One ton of coal costs 1500 UAH, which is more than a monthly pension. Although many forests along the frontline are carpeted with land mines and unexploded ordnance, people are risking their lives collecting wood to keep themselves warm. In winter, temperatures in these areas drop to 25 degrees below zero.
The 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan estimates that 4.4 million people have been affected by the armed conflict in Ukraine. 3.8 million out of those require humanitarian assistance.
“It is essential that international donors respond robustly to this 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan to ensure that as many people as possible receive the assistance they need. However, funding alone will not solve the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, in particular for the civilians living in the non-government controlled areas, who are unable to have their basic needs met. Sustained political engagement and negotiations are necessary to ensure aid reaches people,” said Mehley.
The humanitarian community is requesting USD 214 million to respond to the urgent needs of 2.6 million people with critical needs in Ukraine.
Press contacts:
Tuva Raanes Bogsnes, Head of media and communication, Oslo, Norway +47 93231883
Tatiana Stepykina, Communication Coordinator, Severodonetsk, Ukraine +38 050 468 4555
