ReliefWeb

Overview

Number of people crossing the five operational Exit/Entry Checkpoints (EECPs) steadily increases, as over 1.1 million individual crossings were recorded in July. Over the period of January to July 2017, over 6.2 million individual crossings through all EECPs were recorded, representing an increase by 32 per cent compared to the same period in 2016. Long waiting hours amidst ongoing heat season continued to be witnessed, while constant insecurity in or near the checkpoints is one of the major threats to the lives of thousands. On 8 July, a single mine-related incident in the vicinity of Maiorske EECP killed one and injured another civilian. On 16 July, a civilian crossing the Marinka EECP sustained a bullet wound while crossing. In addition, the checkpoints are not adequately equipped with the required sanitary facilities, nor do they have sufficient cooling spaces. At risk of heatstroke, high blood pressure, heart attacks and other health-related issues due to prolonged exposure to heat are elderly, people with disabilities, pregnant women and children, who cumulatively, represent the largest percentage of people crossing. Despite these challenges, they have no option but to take risks and cross the ‘contact line’, which is increasingly becoming a de facto border separating areas within and beyond the Government’s control. According to the Protection Cluster partners, majority of people cross the ‘contact line’ to access social, banking and legal services, while retaining family links and shopping are other reasons. Humanitarian partners continue to support to upgrade the checkpoints, including establishment of cooling spaces, sanitary facilities and centres for first aid and psychosocial counselling. As of June, Protection Cluster partner resumed surveying persons crossing the five checkpoints to address pertinent protection concerns, disseminating information and delivering protection counselling on relevant legislation, procedures, and available services, as well as providing individual legal assistance. While these are welcoming initiatives, more and urgent actions need to be taken, as cases of grave violation of people’s right to exercise freedom of movement continue to be reported on a regular basis.