Highlights
On 1 September 2015, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine announced that two cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus in Ukraine had been confirmed. This situation constitutes an outbreak notifiable under the International Health Regulations (2005).
In response to the outbreak UNICEF has already committed to supply 4.8 million doses of polio vaccines to immunize susceptible children, of which half of the vaccines are already in the country. UNICEF has been assisting the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to develop action plans and guidelines, train health staff, and increase public awareness.
On 31 August 2015, the Parliament of Ukraine adopted the first reading of amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine on decentralisation. This is an important step towards implementation of the Minsk Agreement.
On 27 August 2015, the tripartite Minsk Contact Group reached ceasefire agreement for the first week of September to ensure safe access of children to schools.
UNICEF contributed to the National Strategy on Human Rights endorsed by the Decree of the President of Ukraine on 25 August 2015. The Strategy pays special attention to the protection of the rights of internally displaced people (IDPs) and other conflictaffected population groups.
Approximately 179,000 children have benefitted from early childhood and education supplies distributed by UNICEF and education partners during the reporting period. To date 36,907 children have benefited from psychosocial support supported by UNICEF
The first consignment of vital antiretroviral medications for adults and children living with HIV in non-government-controlled areas in eastern Ukraine arrived by air in Ukraine on 17 August 2015.
Registration/accreditation requirements for UN and NGOs operating in non-government controlled areas and the closure of checkpoints for cargo transportation are still hampering the delivery of critically urgent humanitarian assistance to conflictaffected areas