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OVERVIEW

On 21 June, in Minsk parties to the conflict have agreed for full cessation of hostilities enforced from 24 June to 31 August 2017 to allow safe harvesting. While not fully implemented, the agreement has reduced the overall level of hostilities. However, daily combat activities were reported throughout June, which continued to generate civilian casualties and increased humanitarian needs. OHCHR verified 65 civilian casualties (12 killed and 53 injured) in June, representing a decrease by 14 per cent comparing to the previous month. Causes of casualties vary, while shelling and incidents related to mines and explosive remnants of war prevail (63 per cent and 28 per cent respectively). The Protection Cluster reports that more than 7,000 km2 of areas along the contact line have been contaminated by mines and other remnants of war. Ongoing insecurity, the need for livelihoods and start of agriculture activities, particularly during the planting and harvesting seasons, indicate that the tendency of mine-related incidents is likely to continue. Damage to housing and critical civilian infrastructure is recorded almost daily, increasing critical needs across all sectors. According to the Shelter/NFI Cluster, since the start of 2017, needs in acute shelter intervention have increased by 140 per cent as of May. In parallel, WASH Cluster reports that since the start of 2017, disruption of water supply affected some 3 million people, which is an increase by 13 per cent of the initial 2017 HRP target. A single incident of shelling of a Pumping Station of the South Donbas Water Pipeline reported on 11 June denied access to water for some 400,000 people for more than five days, while an additional 700,000 people were also affected at variety stages. In addition, access to health has been severely hampered by constant insecurity. Health and Nutrition Cluster reports that some 160 health facilities are impacted by shelling due to conflict, while some 130 facilities are in urgent need of medical supplies to assist thousands of civilians in need. Respect for civilian areas and infrastructure by all parties to the conflict is the only solution to sustain dignity of lives of millions, who depend on proper functioning of these critical infrastructures. On 29 June, Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) concluded an analysis of the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) covering January - May 2017. The results indicate that while humanitarian needs grew, partners abilities to meet the life-threatening needs shrunk significantly due to lack of financial resources and access constraints. Because of underfunding several humanitarian partners were forced to readjust the programmes, and often, cease planned critical activities. Some of these activities included seasonal projects, such as agricultural and livelihoods support. Overall, underfunding remains a critical concern. As of 13 July, HRP is funded only at 20.3 per cent. Advocacy efforts to raise funding for Ukraine humanitarian portfolio continue. On 29 June, the HCT convened an expanded meeting with the donor community in Ukraine. The meeting discussed the results of the 2017 HRP January to May analysis, stressed the urgency of gaps as well as evolving needs and called for urgent support and increased funding for life-saving and prioritized activities of the 2017 HRP.

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Ukraine: Humanitarian Snapshot (as of 13 July 2017) - ReliefWeb