KYIV, 12 December 2017 - The Government of Germany provided additional 14.3 million EUR to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to ensure water security to communities living along the contact line in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. This was announced today at the press conference in Kyiv. The indiscriminate shelling of civilian infrastructure, such as pumping and power stations, is affecting access to essential and basic services in eastern Ukraine. In 2017 alone, over 3 million people across the region suffered water cuts and lack of sanitation.
“From the very start of the conflict, Germany has been one of the largest contributors of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Today we announce the additional funding of 14.3 million EUR that will secure sustained access to water for 2.5 million people in eastern Ukraine in 2018 - 2019, focusing on both short term and long-term measures. We are convinced that improving the water network ensures a longer term benefit of all”, stated Wolfgang Bindseil, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy.
The two-year project, implemented by UNICEF and provided by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development via KfW Development Bank of the KfW Development Bank, will support primary and secondary water providers in 15 districts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, improve resilience of communities and support the most vulnerable families to practice hygienic behaviour. UNICEF will continue working with partners, including the relevant water authorities, to upgrade the water network through the provision of new piping and equipment for pumping stations.
“When the water stops flowing lives of million peoples along the line of contact including children are at risk. Improving resilience of communities through access to rehabilitated water supply is vital to the wellbeing of children. We are grateful to the German Government and the people of Germany for continuous support of our work with children and families in need”, highlighted Giovanna Barberis, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine.
Over the last three years, Germany allocated nearly 35 million USD (30 million EUR) to support UNICEF activities in the East. In 2016 -2017, UNICEF created 7,500 kindergarten seats in eastern Ukraine to improve social cohesion and integration of Internally Displaced People.
Through this support, UNICEF also established 23 early interventions centres and trained 1,300 professionals to provide dedicated services for children with disabilities and special needs. Nearly 10,000 children participated in the three major sport tournaments, organized by UNICEF to promote tolerance and gender quality, whilst 300 schools received sport equipment benefitting over 100,000 children.
Additionally, 65,000 children and caregivers received services and information through community protection centres and additional 20,000 adolescents and youth attended activities provided by a network of 15 youth spaces with a further 36,000 having participated in youth projects.