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Ukraine

Ukraine: Humanitarian Snapshot (as of 14 March 2017)

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OVERVIEW

Clashes continue unabated along the contact line in all major hotspots. OHCHR reports some 129 casualties among civilians since the beginning of the year (as of 12 March). The highest record so far was in February, with 73 civilian casualties reported. Shelling continues to affect basic service provisions across the contact line, particularly critical lifesaving water, and schools, health facilities, and power lines, among others. The WASH Cluster estimated some 2.9 million people at risk of water shortages. As an example, the Donetsk Filter Station (DFS) operations came to a halt during at least 18 days since the beginning of the year, triggering a domino effect of water, electricity and heating cuts. Repair teams continue to put their lives at risk as fragile ceasefires are often broken. The conflict also increases the threat of catastrophic chemical disaster with potentially fatal consequences as fighting is ongoing in areas where large chemical and industrial facilities are located. Humanitarian partners continue to call on parties to the conflict to respect the civilian nature of infrastructures, de-militarise the adjacent areas and give a wide berth during fighting. ATO veterans started a blockade of railways and roads in late January, preventing transport of coal and other goods across the frontline. The Government has announced a state of emergency for electricity supply in several provinces and the measure has also triggered loss of jobs. A rise in transportation costs and coal prices made some partners to reduce the distributed amount of coal from 3 MT to 1 MT per household, further affecting the most vulnerable. On the other hand, de facto authorities started seizing control of the enterprises in areas under their control and ceased coal delivery to government controlled areas on 1 March. Some 40 Ukrainian enterprises in Donetsk NGCA have been put in ‘external management’. Persistent underfunding will lead to suspension of life-saving services, including health and psychosocial services through mobile outreach for thousands of most vulnerable women and adolescent girls affected by the conflict, according to UNFPA. The services may cease in less than a month due to lack of funding.

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