Weekly Update #129
August 19, 2024

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More Than 4.7 Million People Have Returned to Their Areas of Origin 

As of mid-April 2024, more than 4.7 million people had returned to their areas of origin following a period of cross-border or internal displacement of at least two weeks since the GoR’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, according to IOM estimates. During April and May, the UN agency conducted a survey of more than 280 hromadas across 23 of Ukraine’s 24 oblasts to assess the sustainability of returns based on the severity of basic living conditions.

Despite continued deteriorating security conditions and lack of employment opportunities, many people have chosen to return to their areas of origin, likely driven by personal ties to community and family, depletion of savings, and the loss of financial security. Nearly 40 percent of assessed hromadas experienced the return of 40 to 60 percent of people displaced since February 2022. The highest recorded rates of return were observed in Kyiv Oblast, where approximately 70 percent of locations across the oblast had witnessed a return rate of at least 60 percent.

Approximately 25 percent of returnees—or 692,000 people—were residing in locations where few or no residents seeking employment could find suitable job opportunities, according to IOM. Returnees’ ability to afford basic food and other necessities remains a pressing concern, with survey respondents in nearly 20 percent of assessed locations citing that most or all residents in these locations had reduced the quality or quantity of food and other basic items. Approximately 24 percent of assessed locations.

The housing conditions for returnees also increase risks, with up to three-quarters of the returnees residing in areas where up to 40 percent of residential buildings had been damaged or destroyed. People residing in frontline hromadas often remain in houses with broken windows, damaged walls, and leaking roofs, leaving them especially at risk to harsh weather conditions during the winter season, according to the UN. More than one in ten returnees were affected by disruptions to electricity and water in the month preceding IOM’s assessment, though IOM noted a slight decrease in the number of locations affected by electricity disruptions compared to the previous assessment conducted in February and March, suggesting improvements in the reconstruction of electrical supply networks. Nearly 60 percent of returnees resided in locations with damaged schools, and more than 40 percent of assessed individuals lived in areas with damaged medical facilities.

Source: USAID

Evacuation from Vovchansk and Lypetsk communities Report, June - July 2024

During June and July, evacuations from the Vovchansk and Lypetsk communities persisted, albeit with a reduced number of evacuees, though the overall volume of evacuations remained substantial.

At the transit point, evacuees received comprehensive assistance, which continued as they moved to collective sites, where some have been temporarily resettled. In these centers, efforts to address their psychological well-being and facilitate socialization have been particularly effective, helping them to adjust to their new circumstances. A registration system was implemented to ensure that each person at the transit point was accounted for. In addition, specific rules of conduct were established for evacuees, charitable organizations, and journalists to maintain order and safety at the location. Every individual involved in the operation of the transit point was assigned a clearly defined area of responsibility, contributing to the smooth functioning of the overall effort.

This report focuses exclusively on those organizations that coordinated their activities in close collaboration with the Relief Coordination Center.

The RCC report highlights the the current demands of the evacuated population that has found refuge in different regions of the Kharkiv region. The main needs include food, NFI and medical care. These needs are vital for ensuring an insufficient standard of living and maintaining the health of the evacuees.

A separate category of evacuees is those who were evacuated earlier and are currently living on their own with relatives or in rented apartments. They frequently go unnoticed, as they are unable to receive the necessary assistance provided in temporary accommodation. These people, as well as those living in collective centres, require support in the form of food, non-food items, medical services and other categories of assistance.

The issues of people who have been evacuated long ago but still need assistance include:

• Decreased attention: After the main wave of evacuations is over, the focus of public and organisational attention often shifts to new challenges, leaving long-term evacuees without the necessary support.

• Limited access to services: Many of them live in private homes, with relatives or friends, thereby limiting their access to centralised assistance, which is regularly distributed in places of temporary accommodation.

• Emotional and psychological stress: Long-term uncertainty about returning to normal life and difficulties in adapting to new conditions often lead to emotional and psychological problems.

• Lack of stability: Without permanent housing or employment, these people may experience constant anxiety about their future and the future of their families.

• Limited financial resources: Numerous people have not been able to restore their sources of income, making it difficult to access basic needs such as food, clothing and medicine.

• The need for ongoing assistance: They still need assistance with food, non-food items, medical services and access to basic infrastructure.

• Reintegration needs: Long-term evacuees need support to reintegrate into their new communities, which may include assistance with employment, education or skills.

• Lack of information: They may not be aware of the resources and services available to them, making it difficult to get help.

• Understanding these features helps to develop more effective assistance programmes aimed at ensuring decent living conditions for long-term evacuees.

Source: RCC

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Humanitarian Impact of Intensified Hostilities in Donetska and Sumska Oblasts - Flash Update #3 (16 August 2024)

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

Civilians continue to leave areas of active hostilities in Sumska Oblast through both organized evacuations as well as by their own means. According to the local authorities, an estimated 2,000 people, including children, have been evacuated to the Sumy City transit centre since 7 August. However, families are also understood to have moved to Sumy City and within the oblast without registering.

As many people leave with few or no personal belongings, their immediate needs include food and family hygiene items. Most of those displaced are understood to prefer to stay within Sumska Oblast, and the authorities have identified a need for some 500 beds, bed linen sets, mattresses, pillows and blankets to cover the needs.

Following the escalation of hostilities in Sumska Oblast, hospitals have reportedly reached 90 per cent capacity, creating an urgent need for additional support and resources, according to the Health Cluster. Health authorities have also reported the need for medical consumables, medications, equipment, and protective gear.

In Donetska Oblast, several health facilities have relocated their services due to ongoing shelling and intensified hostilities. Such relocation affects the access to health by residents who remain in the front-line areas of the oblast. Health Cluster partners reported challenges accessing areas close to the front line due to the heightened security risks. Additionally, extended curfew hours in these areas further hinder access to health care.

The level of hostilities in Donetska Oblast continued to increase the risks and needs of civilians, including leading to new displacements. Many of those leaving front-line areas are older people and people with disabilities, requiring specialized care and protection assistance before, during and after evacuation.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Humanitarian organizations continued to provide assistance to people in Donetska and Sumska oblasts, including in transit centres established to provide temporary accommodation and immediate assistance to people fleeing hostilities.

Complementing the efforts of local authorities, several NGOs supported the evacuations of civilians from communities in Sumska Oblast close to the border with the Russian Federation, including transportation of people with disabilities who require specialized transport. Immediate assistance was provided at two transit sites in Sumy City, operated by NGO Pluriton in cooperation with municipal services. Besides registration for multi-purpose cash aid, displaced people received psychological and legal support from Protection Cluster partners. Moreover, safe spaces and art classes for children experiencing the trauma of displacement were organized. Transit centres for people displaced from Donetska Oblast also operate in the oblast and in the neighbouring Dnipropetrovska Oblast, offering essential assistance to people arriving from areas of intense hostilities.

At least 18 Health Cluster partners are engaged in the health emergency response in Sumska Oblast, providing essential health assistance to affected people in coordination with authorities, including processing medical supplies and commodities in Sumy City hospitals. Some 15 Health Cluster partners in Donetska Oblast worked to meet the needs of the affected people. Partners also provided mental health and psychosocial support at a newly established transit centre in the oblast. For displaced people from Donetska Oblast, Health Cluster partners supported health-care facilities with relocation and associated costs.

Cash Working Group partners in Sumska Oblast registered 1,800 evacuees for multi-purpose cash assistance between 11 and 15 August. Similarly, more than 800 displaced people in Donetska Oblast were registered for multi-purpose cash assistance at Pokrovsk (Donetska Oblast) and Mezhova (Dnipropetrovska Oblast) transit sites.

Protection Cluster partners coordinated humanitarian response in Sumska and Donetska oblasts with authorities, including enhancing the dissemination of information to evacuees and supporting the referral and provision of services in transit sites. Partners also noted increased movements of evacuees to other oblasts, including by train to Rivnenska Oblast, which has triggered rapid mobilization of assistance in these locations.

Gender-Based Violence partners delivered dignity kits and provided psychosocial support to evacuees staying at a collective site and the transit centres in Sumy City. In addition, daily psychosocial support, the distribution of dignity kits, and gender-based referrals for evacuees took place at the Mezhova transit centre (Dnipropetrovska Oblast).

At least 19 Child Protection partners supported children and their families in Donetska and Sumska oblasts, including establishing child-friendly spaces and deploying mobile teams. They also provided emergency mental health and psychosocial support and awareness-raising to children and their caregivers affected by increasing hostilities in border hromadas.

Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster partner conducted needs assessments of newly hosted displaced people in the collective sites in Sumska Oblast, including with consideration of a potential influx of evacuees due to further deterioration of the security situation. To enhance coordination, oblast authorities established a dedicated mobile chat platform to facilitate real-time communication and coordination of humanitarian efforts.

Source: OCHA

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Humanitarian Situation Monitoring: Evolution of Needs (Nov 2023 – July 2024)

The latest REACH Ukraine Humanitarian Situation Monitoring (HSM) report provides an in-depth analysis of the evolving humanitarian needs across various oblasts, with a particular focus on frontline oblast: Donetska, Kharkivska, Khersonska, and Zaporizka. This report highlights the increasing severity of multisectoral needs, driven primarily by financial instability and inadequate access to essential services.

Key Findings:

• Settlements within 30 km of the frontline report the highest severity of essential needs such as food, drinking water, and healthcare are increasingly unmet, with a significant portion of settlements reporting severe or extreme vulnerability scores.

• Protection concerns, including threats of missile attacks and exposure to armed violence, remain the sector with the most challenging needs, particularly in frontline areas.

• Financial support and employment are critical unmet needs. From November 2023, the livelihoods support saw a 13-point increase and has been the most frequently reported unmet priority need in 33% of settlements within 0-100km from the frontline and Russian border as of May 2024. The second most reported unmet priority need is financial resources, reported by 32% of settlements.

• Significant barriers to healthcare access include the cost of medicines, availability of services, and functional healthcare facilities with 59% of settlements reporting access to medicines as a major concern in May 2024.

• Access to food remains a consistent challenge, with high prices being a significant barrier in 51% of settlements where food access is insufficient.

The findings from the HSM report underscore the urgent need for targeted humanitarian interventions to address the evolving needs of affected populations. For a comprehensive understanding of the humanitarian situation and detailed findings, read the full report here.

Source: IMPACT Initiatives

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UNHCR Delivery Updates (12 August 2024)

Large-scale aerial attacks and ground offensives by the Russian Federation have continued to severely impact civilians across the country. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) reported that July 2024 was the deadliest month for civilians since October 2022, with at least 219 civilians killed and 1,018 injured. In June and July, the most intensive offensive military operations by Russian armed forces shifted from northern Kharkivska oblast to Donetksa oblast in the east.

As hostilities escalate, Ukrainian authorities announced the mandatory evacuation of children and their guardians from areas near the frontline in Donetska oblast, as well as from border areas in Sumska oblast in the north. Since the beginning of August, thousands of residents have left affected areas of Donetska and Sumska oblasts, either through their own means or as part of the government-led or volunteer-supported evacuations. Humanitarian partners are coordinating with the Ukrainian authorities to respond to the needs of those affected. UNHCR is leading the Protection, Shelter/NFI and Camp Coordination and Site Management (CCCM) Cluster responses.

UNHCR is coordinating with the Cash Working Group to provide emergency cash assistance to evacuees, which is a key priority. As of 12 August, 128 evacuees and 217 households whose homes have been damaged by shelling were enrolled/or are in the process of being enrolled by UNHCR to receive cash assistance. So far in August, UNHCR’s local NGO partner Angels of Salvation also provided emergency shelter assistance to nearly 800 families in Donetska oblast, including emergency shelter kits, tarpaulins, and plastic sheeting to help quickly cover damaged homes. UNHCR’s Sub-Office in Dnipro, through local NGO partner Proliska, delivered a total of 300 blankets.

Source: UNHCR

Source: ACLED

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Ukraine Conflict Update: 27 July - 2 August 2024

Several more villages northwest of Donetsk city reportedly fell under Russian occupation during continued Russian offensive operations in the region. Intense fighting also continued in the direction of Kupiansk and in the area of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region. In the Zaporizhia region, Russian forces advanced near Robotyne, south of Orikhiv.

Russian shelling, drones, and airstrikes killed over 20 civilians in the Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Sumy regions. On 27 July, Russian rockets struck Hlukhiv in the Sumy region, killing two civilians and wounding at least a dozen, half of them children.

Russian forces subjected Kherson city’s civilian infrastructure to daily artillery fire and drone strikes, resulting in the deaths of at least three civilians. Meanwhile, reports continue to emerge of Russian authorities deporting children from occupied regions to Russia. On 31 July, the Ukrainian government claimed that Russian authorities forcibly transferred an unspecified number of Ukrainian children from occupied Bilovodsk to a military training camp in the Novosibirsk region of Russia.

Source: ACLED

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Analysis of Frontline Hromadas

The analysis, requested by members of the Cash Working Group, aims to support strategic planning and operational activities. By quickly identifying Hromadas located in close proximity to the frontline, more efficient and effective coordination can occur within the wider response.

The results are presented as color-coded maps, yellow high coverage vs. purple low coverage, indicating the extent of intersection as a percentage of the total area of each Hromada.

Source: European Commission

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US announces $125 million military aid package for Ukraine

The U.S. is sending Ukraine an additional $125 million in weapons to assist in its military operations against Russia, including much-needed air defense capabilities, radars to detect and counter enemy artillery and anti-tank weapons, the White House announced Friday.

The latest package comes as Ukraine has launched its largest ground offensive on Russian soil since the war began in February 2022. The offensive in the Kursk region has prompted Moscow to declare an emergency and send reinforcements there.

National security spokesman John Kirby said Ukraine’s use of U.S.-provided weapons in the offensive was in line with administration policies. The Biden administration has approved their use in cross-border counterstrikes against Russia but not against targets deeper inside Russia, although the specific distances are not clear.

The weapons in this latest aid package will be drawn from existing U.S. stocks and will include Stinger missiles, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) ammunition and vehicles. It brings the total amount of U.S. aid to Ukraine since 2022 to $55.6 billion.

July saw the heaviest civilian casualties in Ukraine since October 2022, the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said Friday. Conflict-related violence killed at least 219 civilians and injured 1,018 in July, the mission said.

On Friday, a Russian missile strike on a shopping mall in Kostiantynivka, in the eastern Donetsk region, killing at least 14 people and wounding 44 others.

Source: AP News

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UNICEF and Ukraine’s environment ministry unite to ensure safer, greener future for children

Ahead of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Ukraine’s Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources have come together to ensure a sustainable post-war recovery by protecting children’s environmental rights and fostering meaningful climate-related dialogue with young people.

The partnership aligns with Ukraine’s commitments under an Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action signed by Ukraine in 2023, as well as with the Paris Agreement and its primary instrument, nationally determined contributions (NDC), aimed at reducing national emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

The key areas of cooperation between UNICEF and the ministry will be focused on:

• engaging children and youth through the establishment of youth councils that promote climate-smart, environmentally-friendly and sustainable use of natural resources;

• developing advocacy, communication and educational campaigns for youth focused on climate action, environmental sustainability, water conservation, domestic waste management, and other relevant topics;

• mobilization of resources for an all-inclusive, child-centered recovery, and other action points.

To ensure that Ukraine’s recovery is truly green and resilient, UNICEF is supporting the modernisation of social infrastructure and helping to make water utilities energy-efficient and sustainable. Furthermore, as part of its life-saving emergency response to war-affected communities, particularly during cold periods, UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme directly supports municipalities and district heating utilities to help them prepare for the winter. UNICEF also supports regional water utilities to ensure that vulnerable populations have access to safe water, reliable sanitation and hygiene.

UNICEF is also helping equip young people with the necessary knowledge and skills to shape a safe and sustainable future, particularly through its UPSHIFT youth innovation programme. Under this programme, Ukrainian youth learn about human-centred design and develop sustainable solutions for their communities. Some of the youth-led projects in Ukraine supported by UPSHIFT include:

• a social club for paper recycling to encourage responsible consumption;

• a solar charging station and organizing lectures on energy conservation;

• a school waste sorting project, highlighting waste issues through theatrical performance;

• a greenhouse for coniferous plants, which are then planted in the city.

UNICEF stands ready to share its extensive experience and best practices to accelerate Ukraine’s efforts towards rebuilding sustainable communities and fostering youth-led climate action.

Source: UNICEF

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Support for children in Ukraine: Norway contributes additional USD 7.4 million to UNICEF

The Government of Norway has provided additional funding of USD 7.4 million to support UNICEF’s programmes in Ukraine. This contribution will enable UNICEF to continue responding to immediate and urgent needs of children and families in war-affected areas, including those requiring reintegration support.

The Government of Norway is the fifth-biggest funding partner of UNICEF for its emergency response in Ukraine. The partnership has contributed to addressing the needs of children and families in Ukraine in the areas of child protection, education, health, social services, and water, sanitation and hygiene, including humanitarian needs in the aftermath of the Kakhovka dam destruction.   

Source: UNICEF

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We must save Ukrainians from catastrophic winter energy shortages (opinion essay)

The writer is EU Commissioner for Energy (Kadri Simson)

As most Europeans continue to enjoy the warm summer weather, the cold winter months ahead might seem like a distant thought. Yet, next winter is likely to test the resilience of the Ukrainian people in a way not seen on our continent since the second world war. Following its full-scale invasion in February 2022,  Russia has targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with massive air strikes, captured energy installations, such as the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, and destroyed electricity transmission lines.

Over the past months, attacks on civilian energy infrastructure have escalated in nature and intensity, destroying power generation plants, heating districts, back-up generators and storage sites. The weaponisation of energy in this way is unprecedented in modern conflicts. 

As Ukraine’s energy workers repair the damage and reactivate lines, many installations have been targeted and destroyed again, making reconstruction a Sisyphean effort. To date, Russia has destroyed or captured around 9GW of Ukraine’s electricity production. This is half of the electricity Ukraine needs in winter, and represents the equivalent of the peak electricity consumption of Portugal, a country with more than 10mn inhabitants. 

Ukraine’s deficit in electricity production has forced the government to introduce nationwide rolling blackouts. In some cities households have access to electricity for a few hours a day, greatly disrupting their daily lives.

Warm months hide the worst impact. No electricity means no access to basic services: water pumps and sewage networks will not work and heating will be off. In freezing winter temperatures, some places in Ukraine may simply become unliveable. Elderly people, children and vulnerable parts of the population would suffer the most. Where the electricity load is already at breaking point, some areas may collapse under the weight of extra demand from displaced people. With a slump in economic activity, fiscal revenues will go down, widening Ukraine’s budget deficit and diminishing its ability to sustain the national fight for freedom. The risk of a humanitarian catastrophe is high.

The Ukrainian administration is fighting with courage to tackle this situation. The EU, together with the international community, has been supporting Ukraine in all possible ways with repair and reconstruction of the energy sector. The G7 has provided a focal point for co-ordination. Regular Ukraine reconstruction conferences have brought the issue into focus. The EU has mobilised, in partnership with the energy community, €500mn for assistance in the energy sector. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has delivered in kind assistance, including over 8,000 generators and over 3,300 transformers. European operators are providing electricity. 

But much more must be done by the international community. To avoid a humanitarian disaster in Ukraine, we need to step up an unprecedented logistical and assistance effort now. 

I call for action in six areas. First, where possible, damaged power and heating generation facilities should be repaired and reactivated. Second, the largest possible number of small-scale decentralised generators, which can become operational quickly, should be transferred to Ukraine. Third, Solar rooftop photovoltaic systems should be deployed as fast as possible to ensure power for hospitals, schools, and public and residential buildings. Decentralised electricity generation is less exposed to Russian attack. Fourth, the maximum volume of electricity that can be exported to Ukraine from elsewhere in Europe should be expanded gradually. Fifth, interconnection capacity at the borders should be expanded. And finally, passive defence of energy infrastructure and air defence around critical installations must be strengthened. A co-ordinated and well-targeted effort can go a long way to narrow the gap. 

Governments and companies can donate to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, operated by the energy community. This is the fastest and most reliable way to procure energy equipment to Ukraine. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism can deliver spare parts and used equipment that correspond to Ukraine’s needs. Multilateral banks can help de-risking projects, through support for insurance and guarantees. Companies can help train workers in Ukraine or help install material, such as PVs and inverters, on the ground. Citizens can help through crowd-funding. 

I urge everyone who has the ability to help Ukraine before the cold season arrives to do so. The European Commission will help deliver your support. An unprecedented effort of solidarity and generosity is needed today. Ukraine must not be left alone as it prepares for its most difficult winter yet. 

Source: Financial Times

Since the beginning of the year, we have provided weekly classes for children in schools, our shelters, and other places where IDPs are staying. We create activities and events to integrate IDPs into society and create a safe, comfortable environment for them. We continue distributing humanitarian aid and providing consultations and support to those in need, following our mission. (courtesy of JRS Ukraine)