Ukraine

Olexiy Olexiy Butchak Humanitarian Situation Report # 33

Copyright: UNICEF /2015/ UNICEF Copyright: 1 SITUATION IN NUMBERS Highlights 1 May 2015 158,313 • Internal displacement continues to rise with the # of registered internally displaced children conflict in eastern Ukraine having entered its (Ministry of Social Policy, 27 April 2015) second year; 1,255,681 people have fled the 1,255,681 conflict-affected areas, among them 158,313 # of registered internally displaced people (Ministry of Social Policy, 27 April 2015 ) children. (Source: Ministry of Social Policy). 5 million • Conflict-affected people and communities are # of affected people (OCHA, Humanitarian Response Plan, February 2015) under severe strain. Internally displaced people (IDPs) are struggling to cope, often with scarce 1.7 million Approx. # of affected children funds and limited access to social services. The (UNICEF Humanitarian Action for Children 2015) capacity of hosting communities is stretched in 68 children many sectors. # of child casualties since March 2014 (WHO, 30 April 2015) • UNICEF is progressing with the rehabilitation of 176 children 45 schools in government-controlled areas in # of children wounded since March 2014 and Luhansk. The procurement of (WHO, 30 April 2015) 15,000 education kits is underway.

• UNICEF joined the WHO HQ mission to provide 1 technical expertise to the Ministry of Health of Funding Gap Level, April 2015 25 Ukraine in support of a strategy to enhance routine vaccination coverage against polio. 20 88%

15 • UNICEF has provided psychosocial support to 6,461 children through a network of community 10 support. Since January 2015, 27,276 children

5 mln US$ have received psychosocial support. 0

Funds received* Funding gap

A total of approximately US$ 8 million was raised in 2014 against the Humanitarian Action for Children 2014. 1 UKRAINE SITUATION REPORT 1 May 2015

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs Armed clashes continued to be reported on a daily basis in eastern Ukraine, especially near Shyrokine, north-west of Donetsk city, (Donetsk region) and north-west of Luhansk city. As of 30 April 2015, 68 children have been killed and 176 children have been wounded in the conflict zone of eastern Ukraine, according to WHO. On 20 April, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and discussed by telephone the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and continuing efforts by the international community to mediate peace in the country. There have been reports of people, including children, being harmed in incidents related to landmines and unexploded ordnance. Unexploded ordnance and landmines reportedly remain in zones of conflict, posing a danger to the lives of children . A UNICEF mission on 14-18 April found that 130,271 children are enrolled in 485 schools in non-government-controlled areas in Donetsk region. More than 160 schools have suffered damage due to fighting, though many of them are still in use. The main needs are roofing materials and window glass. School teachers in Donetsk region, where active fighting is taking place, received their December 2014 salary in April 2015. There is still a shortage or absence of school buses and lack of fuel in , Dokutchaevsk, the village of Yasnoe, Nikishine and surrounding villages, and Donetski settlement, reportedly affecting access to education for some 40 to 50 students and teachers. In the government-controlled area of Donetsk region, the Department of Education has stated that fresh statistics on enrolment will not be collected now as the school year ends in May 2015. The Luhansk region Damaged school in Donetsk region with Department of Education has reported that they will have collected marked unexploded ordnance in front of the entrance. [Credit: UNICEF Ukraine/2015/ enrolment data by the end of April. There are still reports from the R.Rzhehak] government-controlled areas, including Kharkiv, that internally displaced children are not being enrolled in school because their parents expect to return to their place of origin before the new school year (the summer break starts in June 2015). There are also some reports that discrimination and bullying is keeping displaced children out of school. Humanitarian partners in Kyiv have raised protection concerns related to the movement of children for examination purposes with the Ministry of Education and Science. Vaccine supply is a serious concern in Donetsk region: there is currently only 7-10 per cent out of required vaccination quantities available in non-government controlled areas in Donetsk. Difficulties in access to water infrastructure in front line areas is hampering repair works as well as emergency assistance through water trucking. Access to potable water in villages or cities located next to the front line is very poor. Damage to water supply networks has been identified in several locations in Luhansk region (Pervomaisk, Kirovsk, Bryanka and Stakhanov). This has resulted in poor or limited access to water supply system. Most rural areas are yet to be assessed to evaluate the extent of the damage to water supply networks. The water supply through the Siverskiy water canal in Mariupol has been cut due to damaged pipes. Currently, Mariupol city is getting water from Starokrymske water reservoir, although its quality is poor, as reported by city authorities. The general lack of cash among conflict-affected people is causing increased demand for hygiene kits in all areas of Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkiv, particularly amongst IDPs.

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UKRAINE SITUATION REPORT 1 May 2015

Humanitarian Leadership and Coordination On 28 April 2015, the Government of Ukraine hosted the International Support for Ukraine Conference in Kyiv. The main purpose of the conference was to draw international attention to the situation in the country and the Government’s economic reforms. The conference was attended by several hundred guests, including representatives of states, international organisations, the civil society, and international investors.

To strengthen the response and coordination among humanitarian actors, the Protection Cluster submitted a recommendation to establish the Mine Action sub-cluster to the Humanitarian Coordinator and the Humanitarian Country Team. A drawing done by Tanya, 9 y.o., showing angels that should protect her in Hirske, Luhansk region, The Education Cluster has advocated for a more Ukraine comprehensive understanding on the situation of out of school students. IDP families frequently move, often forgetting to deregister from the regional IDP list. The WASH Cluster is exploring the feasibility of conducting a WASH baseline survey in affected areas in both government and non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Summary of Programme Response

UNICEF UNICEF UNICEF Cluster Cluster 2015 2015 PROGRAMME TARGETS AND RESULTS 2015 Results as end Results as of Results as of Target Target of 2014 29 April 2015 29 April 2015

NUTRITION

Number of mothers in affected area s and IDP concentration areas have improved knowledge on benefits of exclusive 60,000 30,000 5,000 8,000 8,000 breastfeeding in emergencies HEALTH Number of deliveries supported by midwifery kits with medicines, medical equipment and consumables’ for 6,500 6,500 4,500 13,500 0 maternity wards Number of beneficiaries supported by basic emergency health 200,000 200,000 130,000 130,000 0 kits WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE Number of affected people having access to safe water 675,000 300,000 100,000 46,714 74,600 Number of people having access to hygiene supplies 400,000 200,000 19,944 39,005 48,558 Number of affected people benefiting from hygiene and 500,000 300,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 sanitation promotion messages

CHILD PROTECTION Number of children provided with psychosocial counselling & 30,000 15,000 2,465 27,276 0 support Number of community professionals with enhanced knowledge for identifying children’s heightened stresses and 10,000 4,000 300 3,402 0 providing initial interventions EDUCATION

Number of emergency-affected children with access to 500,000 500,000 200,000 200,000 200,000 reconciliation, life skills and mine risk education Number of affected children including adolescents accessing education and provided with education and psychosocial 600,000* 225,000* 900 18,387* 40,600* support

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UKRAINE SITUATION REPORT 1 May 2015

Education UNICEF produced 10,000 sets of mine-risk education leaflets and posters, which are on their way to Donetsk region to be distributed in schools and local communities where active fighting is still taking place. UNICEF is moving ahead with the rehabilitation of 45 schools under government control in Donetsk and Luhansk areas. The project plan has been approved by local authorities and 15,000 education kits are being procured. Partnering with a local group, the National Assembly of Persons with Disabilities, UNICEF has distributed 52 early childhood development kits, reaching 495 Early childhood development kits containing books, paints, children with special needs from Vinnytsia, pencils, albums for painting, chess, puzzle, balls, and skipping Chernivtsi, Zhytomyr, Donetsk and Luhansk regions. ropes enable children to continue their education and Education cluster partners in Donetsk have discussed development [Credit: UNICEF Ukraine/2015/A. Krepkih] the issue of transport for children going to school in zones of conflict as UXO or landmines and crossfire pose grave danger. Humanitarian organisations in Donetsk expressed concern about supporting activities that could put children and their families at risk. A solution has not yet been found.

Water Sanitation and Hygiene

Around 800 hygiene kits (baby, adult and family) were distributed to the most vulnerable groups in Luhansk, Alchevsk and Brianka (Luhansk region), reaching more than 2,500 beneficiaries, including at least 500 children. Around 750 displaced people benefited from hygiene kits delivered to Izum city (Kharkiv region). Hygiene kits for the most vulnerable people were distributed in , Sviatohirsk, and Bilozersk (Donetsk region), benefiting a total of 558 children and 900 adults.

About 800 liters of potable water and 15 family hygiene kits were distributed in Shyrokine, while 14 containers (14 tons) of liquid chlorine reached the communal enterprise Voda Donbassa and was delivered to Chervonoarmiysk pumping station, Velykoanadolsk and Chervonoarmiysk filter stations.

Child Protection During the reporting period, UNICEF has provided psychosocial support to 6,461 children through a network of community support. Since January 2015, 27,276 children have received psychosocial support. UNICEF in partnership with People in Need is working in non-government controlled areas to monitor the needs of children. Fifty children, including those still living in bomb shelters, received psychosocial support and outreach training was provided to local professionals through a child-friendly space in Debaltseve. The children’s hotline, operated by La Strada and supported by UNICEF, received 2,004 calls during the reporting period. Of those, 57 per cent were from girls and 43 per cent from boys. All callers received support and referrals when needed. Since January, La Strada has received 11,526 total calls. Between 15 April and 28 April, through its nine community protection centres, the Ukrainian Red Cross has provided psychosocial support, organized recreational sport activities, and provided legal and educational services to 4,806 visitors to the centres. Of those 1,894 children received psychosocial support or visited a child friendly space. The Centres operated by Ukrainian Frontiers NGO provided 1,653 visitors with legal, accommodation, medical, psychosocial support and humanitarian aid; over 1,122 vulnerable IDPs, including 721 children, received psychosocial support. In northern Luhansk region, SOS Kinderdorf NGO set up four new centres where 30

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UKRAINE SITUATION REPORT 1 May 2015 community professionals have been trained to work with vulnerable children and families and psychosocial support has been provided to 320 children. UNICEF in cooperation with YMCA continues to expand its activities to meet needs in areas where IDPs and host communities are bearing the brunt of the conflict by setting up programmes in 20 schools near non-government- controlled areas. These centres will reach over 8,000 additional children and caregivers with psychosocial support, training, and other services. UNICEF partner, Kyiv Mohyla Academy, has reached an additional 1,522 children with group and individual counselling. The Academy has also trained an additional 433 teachers and psychologists to recognize and respond to the psychosocial needs of conflict-affected children.

Health and Nutrition As part of World Immunization Week, UNICEF presented an open lecture on effective communication in public health and immunization to students at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s Public Health School. UNICEF co-chaired a national scientific conference of the National Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases and made a presentation to health professionals on effective counselling within the national immunization programme. On 27 - 30 April, UNICEF joined a WHO HQ mission to provide technical expertise to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, which is developing a strategy to enhance routine vaccination coverage against polio. The recommendations have been provided to the Ministry of Health and an action plan has been agreed. UNICEF is monitoring the vaccination situation in non- government-controlled areas, and exploring opportunities to ensure that children from these areas are vaccinated against polio. UNICEF-produced brochures promoting exclusive breastfeeding and good nutrition practices in emergencies were distributed by local partner Akhmetov Foundation, aiming to reach directly 5,000 mothers of children aged 0-12 months in Donetsk and Luhansk regions via individual food kits in May and June. UNICEF is developing an assessment of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices among IDPs in Kharkiv, Zaparozhzhia, Dnepropetrovsk, and Donetsk regions. Preliminary result should be available by the end of June. UNICEF in collaboration with the An internally displaced woman holds her Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) conducted the newborn son during the UNICEF-organized first stage of IYCF assessment among IDPs and health care workers session on the importance of breastfeeding in in Kharkiv. emergency [Credit: UNICEF Ukraine/2015/A. Krepkih] To address the needs of IDP mothers in effective counselling about breastfeeding, UNICEF in collaboration with the national organisation Molochnie Reki is developing a strategy for infant feeding promotion, which includes capacity building of field workers, counsellors and volunteers, and information outreach to mothers. The composition of a complementary food basket for children aged 6-23 months was prepared, discussed and agreed among the UNICEF-led Nutrition sub-cluster.

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UKRAINE SITUATION REPORT 1 May 2015

External Communication During the reported period, UNICEF Ukraine experts were interviewed by the Associated Press news wire service on the rights of children with disabilities in Ukraine and by the German daily newspaper Die Zeit on mine risks for children in the conflict-affected areas.

On 16 April 2015, UNICEF Ukraine Representative Giovanna Barberis took part in a live panel discussion on national network Hromadske TV, discussing the needs of children in eastern Ukraine.

On the eve of the 2015 World Immunization Week, a UNICEF Ukraine Representative Giovanna Barberis press release was issued calling to close the discussing the needs of children at Hromadske TV. [Credit: Hromadske TV] immunization gap as the risk of communicable diseases outbreak, including polio, remains high in Ukraine. On 29 April, UNICEF Ukraine health expert Kateryna Bulavinova took part in an online conference on the news website Tochka.net to answer parents’ questions about vaccination.

Funding and Planning UNICEF has revised its funding appeal to US$55.8 million to provide emergency relief assistance to children affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine. In addition to US$ 1,984,325 carried forward from 2014, over US$6.6 million has been received against the Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) 2015, representing 12 per cent against the total appeal. A total of approximately US$ 8 million was raised in 2014 against the HAC 2014. UNICEF is grateful to the EU Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Governments of Japan, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, and Poland, and corporate partners for their contributions. The table below provides a detailed overview for 2015 by sector:

Funding Requirements as defined in the revised Humanitarian Action for Children 2015

Funds received (US$) Requirements (US$) Funding gap (US$) Appeal Sector against HAC 2015 A B C=A-B % WASH 23,000,000 748,855 22,251,144 97% Education 14,400,000 4,690,717 9,709,282 67% Health & Nutrition 12,300,000 - 12,300,000 100% Child Protection 2,600,000 261,757 2,338,242 90% Sector Coordination, 3,500,000 581,649 2,918,350 83% Field Support Unallocated* 348,351 Total 55,800,000 6,631,332 49,168,668 88%

Next SitRep: 15/05/2015

UNICEF Ukraine Crisis: http://www.unicef.org.ua Facebook: www.facebook.com/unicef.ukraine Twitter: @unicef_ua

Who to contact Giovanna Barberis Veronika Vashchenko Representative Communication Officer for further UNICEF Ukraine UNICEF Ukraine information: Tel: +380-44-521-0125, 254-2439 Tel: +380-44-521-0125, 254-2439 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

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