PROTECTION CONCERNS
Exchange of fire and indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, including medical facilities and waterlines continues in the east of Ukraine creating continued protection concerns including threat to life.
In the preliminary findings from the Shelter Cluster Assessment in Government Controlled parts of Eastern Ukraine (supported by UNHCR and REACH), respondents indicated that their primary reason for settling in their current location was security (46%), family (41%) and friends (23%). 81% of the households surveyed plan to stay in their current location in the coming three months if the situation remains the same.
Freedom of movement remains a primary concern. Several amendments were made including on issues where protection cluster partners conducted advocacy. With the amendments to the Temporary Order of 16 June and the introduction of the 7 July online portal for applications for passes to travel to/from Non-Governmental Controlled Areas (NGCA), the new procedures are more efficient, compared to the previous system of paper passes. However, there are still challenges: the website can at times become overwhelmed by a high number of applications; cancellation of public transportation across the contact line has led to long queues at check points placing people at risk; and the proposed logistical centres to be established between/near check-points raise protection concerns as the check-points are at risk of shelling and may create a pull-factor towards possible dangerous areas.
Partners continue to report that a significant number of minors have fled the violence with relatives but are not accompanied by their parents. Because of an ambiguous legislation, these children are left out of the system. They cannot register as IDP and therefore are not receiving financial support and protection. This vacuum is expected to be addressed after the inclusion of specific amendments in legislation.
Following months of constant shelling and conflict, the need of psychosocial support for children is very high, especially in Donetsk and Luhansk where children are still exposed to violence. The limited capacity and the reduced number of social workers in these areas make the need to support children and caregivers all the more relevant. A significant number of psychosocial support and mental health projects, carried out by local and international organisations are currently benefiting over 30,000 children in schools, kindergartens, child friendly spaces and bomb shelters in the affected areas. However, the recent administrative constraints to carrying out humanitarian activities in the field are seriously compromising the collective efforts to support children’s well-being and development in NGCA of Donetsk and Luhansk.