KEY MESSAGES
Markets are partially functional in northeastern settlements (e.g., Pokrovsk), while residents in southwestern settlements (e.g., Horikhove) have to travel to access markets (see Map 1 below).
Consumers were reportedly able to access to basic food and hygiene products, whether in their own settlements or in Mezhova or Novopavlivka. At the same time, shelter repair materials and winter items were less available, with half of respondents planning to use cash assistance for heating needs such as firewood and coal.
Most respondents prefer some kind of cash assistance despite the absence of functioning banks or ATMs in the hromada. As reported, cash distribution points can be accessed in the nearest larger settlements, but travel is dangerous and expensive due to the lack of public transportation.
CONTEXT & RATIONALE
In the summer and fall of 2024, the active advance of Russian troops towards the city of Pokrovsk in Donetska oblast significantly deteriorated the humanitarian situation as it led to civilian casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and a wave of evacuations from Pokrovskyi raion. According to IOM’s Frontline Flow Monitoring Assessment, as estimated 58,500 people were displaced from settlements in the Pokrovsk area between 14 August and 15 September.
Now Pokrovska hromada is a frontline territory with active hostilities taking place within five kilometers of the city of Pokrovsk. The current security context makes it difficult for humanitarian actors to access the frontline areas, so the implementation of multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA) is a potential way to address the issue of assisting the affected population in hard-to-reach areas.
This assessment focused on 10 settlements of Pokrovska hromada: Pokrovsk, Rodynske, Hryshyne, Pishchane, Leontovychi (Pershe Travnia)¹, Novooleksandrivka, Sribne, Horikhove, Troitske, and Zaporizhzhia that have a combined population of about 16,750 people (see Map 1).
This assessment was initiated by the Cash Working Group’s Task Team on Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) Feasibility in order to assess whether cash assistance would be feasible in the settlements of Pokrovska hromada that are close to the frontline and affected by regular shelling.
METHODOLOGY:
International Organization AQLITY interviewed 24 retailers and 76 consumers throughout the 10 settlements in Pokrovska hromada. All interviews were conducted in person. Data collection took place from 12 to 20 November 2024. Findings presented in this factsheet should be considered indicative of the overall situation.