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Ukraine

Protection Cluster Fact Sheet - February 2017 [EN/RU/UK]

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PROTECTION CONCERNS

  • Security situation: In February, OHCHR recorded 73 conflict-related civilian casualties (11 killed and 62 injured) – the highest numbers since August 2016. This increase is attributed to the escalation of hostilities in Avdiivka/Donetsk/Makiivka area from 29 January to 3 February 2017, which was accompanied by massive shelling from artillery and multilaunch rocket systems of populated areas on both sides of the contact line.

  • Fighting was concentrated in at least 22 settlements along the contact line in both GCA and NGCA. Donetsk, Avdiivka - Yasynuvata and Mariupol areas witnessed the heaviest shelling.
    Fighting was also recorded in Marinka, Zaitseve, Pisky, Opytne and Kamianka (Donetsk GCA). In Luhansk region, hostilities were recorded in Novozvanivka, Troitske (GCA), Novooleksandrivka (grey zone), Kalynove and Kalynove-Borshchuvate (NGCA), with a series of clashes and indirect fire attacks in and around Zolote.

  • Freedom of Movement: extremely difficult and arduous conditions were observed at Stanytsia Luhanska - the only check-point in Luhansk region, with 2,500 to 4,000 people per day having to queue for up to seven hours in freezing conditions and then walk across the broken bridge. The slippery wooden ramps are inaccessible for older people, young children and persons with disabilities.

  • Humanitarian Access: On 28 February, de facto authorities in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) blocked all aid distribution hubs of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation’s Humanitarian Centre in Donetsk NGCA. The Centre provided humanitarian assistance in both Donetsk GCA and NGCA and for many people in NGCA it was the only source of humanitarian assistance.

  • Access to basic services: Critical civilian infrastructure and facilities sustained heavy damage due to indiscriminate shelling of populated areas with explosive weapons. Heavy fighting in and around Donetsk affected water provision and triggered concerns over a looming ecological disaster. Shelling hit the Donetsk Filter Station (DFS) on 24 February, damaging the chlorine pipeline, water filters, tanks with clean water and a chlorine warehouse. Operation of the DFS was suspended, affecting 345,000 people on both sides of the contact line: in five districts of Donetsk, Avdiivka, Yasynuvata and four smaller settlements in the area.

  • In Avdiivka, Donetsk city, Dokuchaievsk, parts of Makiivka, and Yasynuvata, many households had no heating during a period of below freezing temperatures and hospitals had no water, which affected access to healthcare.

  • Due to fighting, people in Triohizbenka, Luhansk (GCA), had no gas and heating, having to cook and heat with electrical appliances.
    According to the law, a reduced tariff should be applied in such cases. However, due to delays in recalculation of the fees, people have to pay regular costs for electricity.

  • On 23 February, Lifecell mobile communication provider was cut off in Donetsk, Makiivka, Horlivka, Yasynuvata and Khartsyzsk. Vodafone (MTS) is still operational, however, also with disruptions. The local provider in Donetsk NGCA, Phoenix, does not have the capacity to cover the increased needs.

  • Child protection / GBV: La Strada, which operates a nationwide hotline reported an increase in violence against children by fathers who have been demobilized. La Strada is providing support through its hot line and field social workers.