The political situation in Ukraine remains tense and humanitarian access to nongovernment controlled areas (NGCAs) continues to pose a challenge. Breaches of the ceasefire agreement occur daily along the contact line, contributing to a volatile security situation that threatens further displacement. The conflict continues to impact nearly 4.4 million people in eastern Ukraine, including 900,000 children. Immediate humanitarian assistance is required for 3.8 million people, including 650,000 children. UNICEF estimates that 200,000 children live within 15 kilometres of each side of the contact line, of which about 2 per cent are regularly forced to take refuge in improvised bomb shelters.
Children are exposed to the risk of explosive remnants of war and landmines, and girls are particularly at risk of different forms of gender-based violence. UNICEF estimates that one school in five in NGCAs has been damaged and is in urgent need of repair. Given the extensive infrastructure damage, coupled with deepening poverty, access to safe drinking water remains a challenge for 2.9 million people in NGCAs alone. 4 With primary health care services largely unavailable in rural areas and along the contact line, the risk of communicable disease outbreaks remains a concern.
Total people in need: 4.4 million
Total children (<18) in need: 900,000
Total people to be reached in 2017: 2.5 million
Total children to be reached in 2017: 475,000
2017 programme targets
Nutrition
- 20,000 mothers in affected areas with improved knowledge on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding
Health
- 90 per cent of children under 12 months accessing routine immunization in conflictaffected areas
- 20,000 pregnant women accessing basic life-saving drugs and medical equipment
WASH
- 2.5 million people accessing safe water (for drinking, cooking and hygiene) through effective water treatment mechanisms and emergency repair of
WASH infrastructure
- 200,000 people accessing hygiene supplies and knowledge of basic hygiene practices
Child protection
- 100,000 children and caregivers accessing immediate psychosocial support services • 500,000 girls and boys and their caregivers received MRE • 2,000 community professionals trained in identifying and responding to key child protection issues
Education
- 110,000 children aged 3 to 16 years in conflict-affected areas accessing early childhood development and basic education
- 10,000 youths, parents and teachers received life-skills training, including education-in-emergencies and coordination
HIV and AIDS
- 12,000 HIV-positive patients accessing uninterrupted ARV treatment
- 38,000 pregnant women tested for HIV