General Coordination Meeting (GCM) – Kyiv, 14 December, Aleksanyan Room Draft Discussion Action Points/Decisions

1. Political situation update

The Minsk process: During the 24th OSCE Ministerial Council 2017 in Vienna on 8 December, informal and bilateral discussion took place on the situation in Donbas and humanitarian aspects of the conflict. The American-Russian bilateral dialogue has entered a reassessment phase, estimated to last until the second part of January 2018. Lack of peace initiatives is likely to last until the Russian Presidential elections, taking place in March 2018. At the same time, the end of the year has brought spikes in violence and increased hostilities in conflict-affected areas.

Exchange of detainees: The exchange of 304 individuals was temporarily put on hold due to reported technical issues. These issues should reportedly be addressed by 20 December during the last meeting of Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) in 2017.

2. Security situation update Eastern Conflict Area (ECA): Hostilities have increased since mid-October in the conflict-affected areas, as number of civilian casualties continued to rise. The situation deteriorated with 24 civilian casualties in October and 25 casualties in November. In the recent past, three settlements of Hladosove, and Verkhniotoretske (Donetska oblast) were taken under control by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) and are accessible through GCA. One humanitarian organization recently concluded a short assessment mission and noted that the needs in these settlements are significant, while active hostilities and presence of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) continue posing serious risk to local residents. Overall, civilian infrastructure was shelled in both GCA and NGCA, in particular in the areas of Avdiivka, Dokuchaevsk, , Krasnyi Partizan, Perovmaisk.

INSO added that the intensity of the conflict is reaching levels to those of the start of the year. In November, the level of accidents was the highest and it is projected to raise even more resulting in critical civilian infrastructure damage, which have doubled in last two months. Of these, at least five incidents of shelling affected the Filter Station (DFS) and Verkhionkalmiuska Filter Station (VFS), which are located in the proximity of the ‘contact line’. Some 12 settlements have experienced electricity disruption, lasting from a few minutes up to days due to continuous shelling. Usage of heavy weapons have increased by 64 per cent.

UNDSS also added that since the ‘contact line’ slightly changed, there might be a risk for an increased shelling of villages, which were previously not directly affected. This will most likely mean increased humanitarian needs and requiring further assistance. UNDSS also noted that security risk assessments of these villages would have to be made on “case-by-case” basis for each mission.

Field mission preparations: UNDSS stressed the importance for agencies to prepare their vehicles for winter conditions before travelling to any field location and having clear escape routes in case of evacuation identified. It is also advisable to ask the staff at the CPs for their analysis on the security situation, which might change drastically on a regular basis. Nine kilometres from the ‘contact line’ on both sides is the most dangerous area and it was recommended not to drive on unpaved roads due to the risk of mines and UXO.

Multiple incidents involving UN: Over the period of November and early December, UNDSS reports that number of incidents when humanitarian convoys and/or vehicles were stopped at checkpoints by uniformed guards and civilians for inspection continue to increase. Humanitarian actors face increased difficulties in accessing remote villages, on both side of the ‘contact line’.

Mainland Ukraine: Events around Saakashvili and his supporters causes increased risk for civil unrest. The number of public demonstrations in Kyiv has increased, and UNDSS stressed the importance of avoiding areas, where demonstrations are taking place. If it takes place nearby the office, alternative work modality should be put in place. It is also recommended to keep track of belongings, when being at the central train station, as an increased number of thefts have been reported.

3. Humanitarian situation update

Humanitarian needs: Increased number of hostilities around the critical civilian infrastructure, such as the DFS and consequent disruption of water and heating supply systems, as well as potential environmental consequences may deteriorate the humanitarian situation during the winter months. On the DFS, OCHA briefed that according to the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons (MTOT) the liquid gas bottles have been removed and were replaced by powder required for water purification.

OHCHR recently released a quarterly report, highlighting the correlation between causalities figures and ceasefire implementation. As per analysis, when the ceasefire holds, there are lower number of ceasefire casualties.

A concern was raised on the access to the villages of Travene and Hladosove. UNDSS clarified that the villages are accessible, but recommends only critical missions for delivery of humanitarian assistance due to poor road conditions and insecurity. OCHA reminded about the recent mission to the settlement of Travneve in which an estimated 100 civilians reside and the mission report that was previously circulated to the humanitarian partners operating in that particular geographic area. OCHA highlighted the importance of ATO Civil-Military Co-Operation (CIMIC), as a source of information on humanitarian needs (e.g.: CMCoord of the ATO has repaired parts of the road leading to the villages). A few other UN agencies have already visited the settlements, but further needs assessment is needed. It was reported that the State Emergency Service (SES) has not provided any assistance to the civilians living in any of those three villages. Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster (FSLC) informed on recent delivery of food parcels to Travneve and Hladosove by ICRC and Caritas. The Cluster also briefed participants on updated information on the Food Security Cluster website.

Freedom of movement: The number of individual crossings at all Entry-Exit Checkpoints (EECP) has decreased over the last week, with 10 per cent compared to similar trend in previous month, which might be due to the upcoming holidays.

Communication: Participants noted the importance of not using the term “frozen”, as the conflict is active with daily shelling and increased insecurity. This will may potentially diminish the ongoing communication efforts, which aim to raise the humanitarian profile and human cost of the crisis to international spotlight.

The meeting participants also highlighted the importance of constant media coverage with human stories, including photos to raise the awareness of the humanitarian profile of the crisis.

Ukraine 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) Launch: The 2018 HRP was launched on 4 December in Kyiv, by the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), together with the Minister of MTOT. On 7 December, the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) launched the 2018 HRP and briefed some 50 Member States and international organizations on the ongoing humanitarian situation. The Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations in Geneva, the representative of Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency and Save the Children were also on the podium as keynote speakers. Both of the events were followed by press briefings, press releases and communication campaign through social media, which contributed to raising the awareness around the Ukraine 2018 HRP. The key figures stemming out of the 2018 HRP include: • 4.4 million people affected • 3.4 million people need humanitarian assistance and protection • Of these 1.8 million people live in NGCA • 0.6 million people live along “contact line” • And 1 million people live in GCA • The 2018 HRP asks for US$187 million to reach with assistance and protection some 2.3 million people, who are the most vulnerable

Humanitarian Dashboard: On 13 December, the latest Humanitarian Dashboard covering the period of January – September 2017 was released. The dashboard contains updated information on the humanitarian response and provides an overview of people reached by different clusters, cluster partners and agencies outside of the HRP. • IOM to present the NMS 4. Update from partners Report at the next GCM to IOM recently released the National Monitoring System (NMS) Report. The main findings are that the IDPs lack access to shelter and employment take place on and often face discrimination. A presentation on the latest round of the NMS will be given at the next GCM in January. Friday, 12 January.

5. AOB

The next General Coordination Meeting (GCM) is scheduled for Friday, 12 January.