Highlights
UNICEF assessment of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) needs and humanitarian situation at six entry and exit checkpoints along the contact line highlighted the severe difficulties and potential danger people are facing when trying to cross between government-controlled and nongovernment-controlled areas.
Successful deployment of rapid response mechanism ensured continued provision of water to the inhabitants of three localities in Donetsk region or oblast, following a disruption in the water supply.
UNICEF and its partners have completed the renovation of 27 schools in government-controlled areas in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, benefiting around 10,000 children.
On 16 May, UNICEF and the European Union launched the #EmergencyLessons campaign, aimed at highlighting the importance of education for children affected by emergencies.
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
The humanitarian situation for civilians in eastern Ukraine remained difficult during May. Ceasefire violations continued and there has still been no resolution to the issue of access for humanitarian organizations, including UN agencies, to non-government controlled areas (NGCAs). In Donetsk oblast, UN agencies, including UNICEF, continued to provide limited assistance through their partners, far below what the operational capacities would be if allowed to operate openly. In Luhansk NGCA, humanitarian assistance is restricted, and a response from the de-facto authorities to the recent submission of documents by UN agencies, including UNICEF, is still pending.
The majority of civilian casualties during May were related to incidents involving explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices. Overall, 36 civilians received conflict-related injuries (nine of them children) and three men were killed.
UNICEF conducted a follow-up visit to assess the situation at entry & exit checkpoints on the contact line in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Whilst the main objective was to assess the existing WASH needs, a broader assessment of the overall humanitarian situation and freedom of movement was carried out. It was apparent that the security of those wishing to cross could not be guaranteed, despite the checkpoints having been mutually agreed to by the conflicting parties. People wishing to cross from one side to the other face high risks due to security, inappropriate behaviour by military personnel, and inadequate or nonexistent sanitation, water and medical facilities. According to the UN OCHA, an average of 25,000 people cross the contact line every day.
Humanitarian needs in the area of health remain high, especially along the contact line and in the NGCAs. Limitations in access to treatment for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS as well as immunization continues to be of concern. Given the increased risk of a TB and HIV/AIDS epidemic, access to prevention, diagnostics and treatment for TB and HIV/AIDS is essential. In the absence of anti-retroviral drugs, approximately 8,000 HIV-positive patients in the NGCAs in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts are at risk of interruption in their anti-retroviral drugs treatment by the end of the year.