Highlights
• The total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Crimea and Eastern Ukraine reached 1,754,901 as of 28 March 2016, according to the Ministry of Social Policy.
• IOM has assisted 109,000 vulnerable IDPs and conflict-affected people in 21 regions of Ukraine.
• The conflict in Ukraine has deeply affected the lives of 580,000 children living in non-government-controlled areas (NGCAs) and close to the contact line. Of these, one in three need psychosocial support.
• 9,187 people were killed and 21,085 wounded over two years of condlict in Ukraine, OCHA reports
REBUILDING THE DONBAS
Six social institutions in villages and towns of Donetsk Region have recently reopened their doors for visitors after the IOMconducted refurbishment funded by European Union.
Over 28,000 local residents and about 3,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) will be able to benefit from services of culture clubs in Mykolaivka and Paraskoviivka, a children’s and youth creativity centre in Chasiv Yar, music school in Oleksandrivka, ambulatory in Krasne and secondary school in Zorya.
Renovations included the installation of new roofs, windows and doors, upgrading heating systems, and refurbishment of concert halls. Audio and video equipment, interactive boards, computers and sewing machines were purchased to be used at master classes and other events contributing to the establishment of trustful relationships between IDPs and local residents, and in general promoting the inclusion of the diverse local population in community activities.
The EU and IOM support the integration of IDPs into host communities in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk,
Zaporizhia, Odesa, Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The initiative groups, consisting of both local residents and displaced people, selected local social institutions for renovation within the project.
Local authorities also contributed to the refurbishment. In total, up to 70 culture clubs, libraries, secondary and music schools, and other social institutions are being re-opened to serve the needs of displaced people and local communities in six regions of Ukraine.