ReliefWeb

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

Continued shelling of civilian infrastructure, including civilian workers managing the water system, further aggravated the humanitarian situation in February, with at least 70 settlements on both sides of the contact line experiencing interruptions in heating and water supply. Some 200,000 boys and girls living within 15km of each side of the contact line, continued to be exposed to gunfire. Of the 7 civilian casualties recorded by OHCHR in February, 3 children (2 girls and 1 boy) were injured by an explosive remnant of war. UNICEF continued to provide psycho-social support to children and their caregivers, including survivors of genderbased violence. Through a comprehensive Safe Schools concept, developed in 2017 in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sciences of Ukraine, UNICEF supported roll out for 10 schools in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts with emphasis on inclusive and quality learning for all children, including physical school safety. The United Nations Humanitarian Country Team has engaged in dialogue with civil society and the Government of Ukraine regarding the potential implications on humanitarian operations of newly enacted legislation. UNICEF program delivery for children continues, on both sides of the contact line, with no significant disruption.

Summary Analysis of Programme Response

HEALTH & NUTRITION

In close partnership with civil society, UNICEF continued to support the emergency health response through the provision of e-vouchers for essential medicines and treatment to persons residing along the contact line in Donetsk oblast. In February, 57 children under five, 15 pregnant and lactating women, 9 newborns, and 17 trauma patients were supported. UNICEF also supported activities to strengthen the capacity of 79 healthcare workers on neonatal resuscitation in Donetsk Oblast with 4 separate trainings.

WASH

UNICEF supplied liquefied chlorine gas, sodium hypochlorite and activated carbon to 6 filter stations and 10 production departments of Voda Donbasu. In addition, 4,300 bottles of water (6l) were provided to schools in Novoivanivka, Zolote, Novotoshkivske and Troitske in Luhansk oblast that experienced interruptions with water supply along with 450 residents of Sopyne and Berdianske in Donetsk oblast. A total of 6,636 children and women, including persons with disabilities, received hygiene kits in the towns and villages of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts located along the contact line. 312 schoolchildren were targeted with strengthened knowledge of hygiene practices through participation in the hygiene promotion sessions and distribution of informational materials in Luhansk oblast.

CHILD PROTECTION

Through a network of civil society organizations, UNICEF continued to provide psycho-social first aid (PSS) to children and their caregivers living in some of the most affected areas along the line of contact in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, including 672 children and caregivers who received individual PSS support. In addition, 510 children (259 girls/251 boys) participated in group therapy and events aimed atimproving their well-being. A total of 79 parents were trained on how to identify and provide PSS first aid to their children. To ensure access to the most remote and affected areas along the line of contact, which was often limited due to ongoing hostilities and mobile connection interruptions, UNICEF provided psych-social support over the phone, where appropriate, to ensure consistent service provision.

UNICEF refurbished 3 Psycho-Social Centers – in the towns of Bakhmut, Popasna and Toretsk. All 3 centers will be managed by psychologists, previously trained through UNICEF support in 2017 on conflict-induced trauma. This cooperation will continue including the joint establishment of referral mechanisms with local and regional authorities and service providers in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Through 15 mobile teams, UNICEF continued to provide assistance to survivors of gender-based violence and to children affected by violence in Donetsk and Luhansk areas.