Weekly Update #66
June 5

STATUS OF DISPLACED POPULATIONS

Ukraine - Conditions of Return Assessment Factsheet - Round 2 (March - April 2023)

As of May 2023, an estimated 5,088,000 people remain internally displaced in Ukraine with an estimated 8,255,000 displaced abroad. IOM estimates that 4,757,000 people have returned to their place of habitual residence in Ukraine following a period of displacement, 20 per cent of whom returned from abroad. To inform targeted interventions aimed at alleviating the vulnerability that stems from poor structural and social conditions in areas of return, the Conditions of Return Assessment (CoRA) provides granular data on where returns are occurring, where those who have returned are most vulnerable and why.

Out of the 117  return  locations assessed,  23 recorded high severity conditions  for one or  more driver of severity. This  equates to nearly a third of the estimated returnee  population in assessed settlements residing in high severity conditions (29%,499,000people).

Key Findings – Drivers of Severity

Livelihoods

The recovery of the economy and availability of employment opportunities is directly reflected in the rate of return. Nearly two thirds of settlements in which few or no residents seeking work can find suitable job opportunities had witnessed the return of less than 40 per cent of the displaced population.

Residence Destruction

Half of the assessed locations where 40 per cent or more of the residential structures have been damaged or destroyed had a rate of return of 60-100 per cent, indicating that some returnees are likely to be living in damaged shelters in these locations.

Hromadas in which residential destruction is classified as high severity – that is, more than 40 per cent of residences are damaged – include Irpinska, Balakliiska and Iziumska. Key informants (KIs) in Balakliiska and Iziumska Hromadas reported that few or no houses were being repaired with many lacking the financial resources or skills to undertake heavy repairs.

Utilities and Services

Up to 67 per cent of returnees may be affected by difficulty accessing healthcare, with KIs reporting damage to primary and secondary healthcare facilities (1,020,000 returnees in 39 locations).

Up to 50 per cent reside in locations where the KIs reported damage to the water supply infrastructure (772,000 returnees, 29 locations). Around 25 per cent reside in a location where occasional or frequent disruptions to the household water supply were reported (379,000 in 17 locations).

Safety and Security

Up to 33 per cent reside in locations where residents are aware of mines and/or unexploded ordnance but there were demining activities in the month prior to data collection. (452,000 returnees in 32 locations).

In Kharkivska, Zaporizka and Snihurivska Hromadas, residents face regular long-range attack and are aware of UXOs and mines (although demining and disposal activities are active in each of these hromadas).

Source: IOM

THE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Humanitarian organizations have sustained regular assistance to civilians in Kupianska hromada since it came under the control of the Government of Ukraine in September 2022, complementing the efforts from authorities and community-based volunteer groups.

In 2023, at least 35 humanitarian partners have provided vital supplies, including food assistance and water and hygiene items, to cover the needs of the entire population remaining in the hromada. Over 15,000 people have had access to health care or medicines, and almost 5,000 people have received support with emergency shelter and critical household items. In addition, 1,300 people have been reached with cash assistance and about 1,000 with general protection services. Some 23,000 people have been targeted with supplies provided by three humanitarian convoys to the areas around Kupiansk since the start of the year.

Overall, humanitarians provided vital assistance to over 770,000 people in Kharkivska oblast in 2023, including the assistance delivered via 13 inter-agency humanitarian convoys to nearly 125,000 people – most of them living in the areas under Ukrainian control. Local partners and volunteer groups have been crucial in ensuring last-mile delivery to people who desperately need support.

Source: OCHA

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Family for every child: the Government of Ukraine and UNICEF join efforts to help as many children as possible find a family

The Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine, the Ministry of Social Policy, together with the President's Office, and with support from UNICEF, are committed to seeing more children growing up in a family environment and receive the love, protection, and care that they deserve. Together we are initiating Better Care. A national program anchored in evidence-based interventions that focus on strengthening families, communities, and the care system to ensure that safe and nurturing care within families is a reality for all children, including those with disabilities and other vulnerabilities. Better Care is anchored in the vision that every child grows up in a safe and nurturing family. This includes ensuring that the most vulnerable can access their rights to housing, family-care, protection, health, and inclusive education.

All children in Ukraine have faced significant trauma over the past 16 months. Children have been forced to move away from their homes and communities. Many are studying online away from familiar classrooms and classmates. They have seen, heard and felt the effects of this war daily. Tragically, many have experienced, or risk, the loss of family care, including those orphaned by the war. At the same time many Ukrainians are stepping up their efforts and opening their homes to children in need of family care, proving with their own example the years of the evidence that show that children raised in safe and nurturing families have better physical, intellectual, and socioemotional outcomes compared to children living in institutions.

The day dedicated to protecting children is also seeing a National high-level conference, organized by the partners “Family for Every Child,” with the participation of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, representatives of the Office of the Ukraine’s Commissioner for Human Rights, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and UNICEF. Over 100 foster families from all over Ukraine were supposed to actively participate in the event, however, this component was shortened for safety reasons and transferred to online. Continuing the work of the forum local and national authorities, NGOs, and child rights experts held consultations to identify key issues to be addressed to ensure more children in need find families to care for them, and to help local authorities and communities create a favorable community for families to thrive. The resulting conference manifesto will outline the key components and milestones required for the transformation of Ukraine’s childcare system, to ensure every child in need of a family is able to find one.

Source: UNICEF

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Deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia: joint statement

The Diplomatic Corps in Ukraine issued this Joint Statement on International Day for the Protection of Children in Ukraine.

Today, on International Day for the Protection of Children in Ukraine and across the region, we, the Embassies associated with this statement, call on the Russian Federation to return Ukraine’s children to Ukraine. We are appalled by Russia’s large-scale forced transfer and deportation of children to Russia or Russian-controlled territory within Ukraine and note in this regard the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.

The Ukrainian government has identified over 19,000 children unlawfully deported or otherwise separated from their parents or guardians. This number continues to grow with recent transfers from the Zaporizhzhia region. Russia has seized children from their schools, and their homes – including those living in institutions, while others have been separated from their families during Russia’s so-called ‘filtration’ process. Very few have been returned. This trauma will affect these children and their families for the rest of their lives.

While the Russian Federation claims these are “evacuations”, we note that the UN Commission of Inquiry concluded that none of the cases examined were justified by safety or medical reasons, nor did they satisfy the requirements set forth by international humanitarian law. The obstacles Russia puts in place to prevent Ukrainian children from reuniting with their families and caregivers undermine Russia’s narrative. Direct relatives or legal guardians must undertake a dangerous and costly journey to collect their children. During this journey, they face a high risk of arrest and interrogation – as do those who help them. In some cases, parents arrive in Russia only to learn authorities have hidden their child in a foster home.

Unlawfully deported children face abusive indoctrination processes designed to systematically undermine and erase their Ukrainian identity, through “re-education” programmes as part of intense militarised schooling practices. Ukrainian children are confronted by Russian disinformation, while their access to alternative voices and education in Ukrainian is denied. Their new environments are linguistically and culturally entirely Russian. This practice violates or abuses a multitude of children’s rights under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including their rights to family, to identity and to education. Children in temporarily Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine are also exposed to this indoctrination, as the Russian Federation imposes its curriculum on local schools, in which children meet Russian soldiers and learn how to use weapons. Parents face threats they will lose custody of their child if they refuse to enrol them.

We remind the Russian Federation of its obligations under international law to end its illegal war of aggression and to ensure the lives of all children are protected. We call on Russia to ensure respect for children’s cultural identity and cease the forcible transfer of children to the Russian Federation, and its efforts to indoctrinate Ukrainian children and force them to become Russian. Finally, in cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities, we call on the Russian Federation to return Ukraine’s children where they belong: Ukraine.

The international community stands with Ukraine in protecting its future generations. We will hold the Russian Federation to account for its illegal and barbaric actions in Ukraine.

• British Embassy in Ukraine

• Australian Embassy in Ukraine

• Austrian Embassy in Ukraine

• Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine

• Dutch Embassy in Ukraine

• Embassy of Canada in Ukraine

• Embassy of Denmark in Ukraine

• Embassy of Estonia in Ukraine

• Embassy of Greece in Ukraine

• Embassy of Latvia in Ukraine

• Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine

• Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ukraine

• Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ukraine

• Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Ukraine

• Finnish Embassy in Ukraine

• French Embassy in Ukraine

• German Embassy in Ukraine

• Italian Embassy in Ukraine

• New Zealand Embassy in Ukraine

• Norwegian Embassy in Ukraine

• Romanian Embassy in Ukraine

• Spanish Embassy in Ukraine

• Swedish Embassy in Ukraine

• Embassy of Lithuania in Ukraine

Source: British Embassy Kyiv

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Speech by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine at the Commemoration of Children Killed by the War

I would like to start with a number, a very important number that should shock and horrify the world. And that is 1,500. 1,500 Ukrainian children killed or injured since the Russian invasion in February 2022. And unfortunately, that number goes up almost every single day. Last night, in Dnipro, three more children were injured in an explosion. Earlier this week, in Kyiv, a little girl was killed alongside her mother after a strike.

I know that that brings no solace, but it is important to document and keep track. The Convention of the Rights of the Child, written at the United Nations, signed by Member States, ratified by Member States, including Russia, is intended to protect children – physically, psychologically, financially – and ensure that they stay with their families. It specifically prohibits adoption during times of war. We know that the Convention for the Rights of the Child is being totally disregarded by Russia, as is International Humanitarian Law.

It doesn't make these documents irrelevant. It makes them extremely important for accountability. And the International Criminal Court has already issued two indictments for the forcible taking of children from Ukraine. And that's the beginning. We also know millions of Ukrainian children have been displaced because of violence, have seen their family members killed, have suffered great loss, have not been able to go to school, have not been able to access health care and are suffering from the trauma of the war brought by the Russian Federation.

I also know that much has been done to support these children. In Kharkiv, a fantastic centre has been set up by local authorities and UNICEF to support them. And in Antonivka, in Khersonska oblast, I met a little boy who lived in a shelter and who had his tablet and thus was able to study. And everywhere I go, I see this tremendous outpouring of support. I know it is not enough, it will never be enough. But our obligation, as the United Nations, is to stay here. And we will stay here as long as necessary to continue supporting those who need us the most.

Source: OCHA

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Ukraine: Public Health Situation Analysis (PHSA) (May 2023)

The Health Cluster of WHO issued the latest report on the public health situation of Ukraine, building upon previous analyses reports in 2022. The document adds depth to the information presented in the previous versions, tracks changes in the situation, considers additional threats, and incorporates data from new assessments. This update presents the best available data at the time of publication, and may be updated, as needed.

Public health threats represent a significant challenge to those providing health services in a crisis. The health issues and risk factors addressed in this document have been selected through secondary data review, based on the known burden of disease in this context, crisis-emergent health issues, and their potential impact on morbidity, mortality, response, and recovery. The aim of this document is to create a common understanding of the public health situation in Ukraine and facilitate the evidence-based coordination of activities among all agencies working with the populations affected by the crisis.

The Public Health Situation Analysis (PHSA) contains:

• an executive summary of the crisis;

• an examination of public health threats;

• an examination of health system threats;

• consideration of vulnerable groups; and

• an overview of the humanitarian health response and assessment availability.

Source: HealthCluster, WHO

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Briefing Security Council, International Atomic Energy Agency Director Outlines Five Principles to Prevent Nuclear Accident at Zaporizhzhia Power Plant in Ukraine

Avoiding a nuclear accident at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant — the largest nuclear power station in Europe — is possible, the Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stressed to the Security Council today as he outlined, to that end, five concrete principles to ensure that plant’s nuclear safety and security.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, IAEA Director General, updated the 15-member organ on the Agency’s activities in Ukraine, which included 12 expert missions; its Support and Assistant Mission at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant; dedicated experts at every other major Ukrainian nuclear site; international assistance totalling almost €5 million; and verification activities to ensure no diversion of nuclear material for military purposes.

The nuclear safety and security of the situation around the Zaporizhzhia plant, however, continues to be extremely fragile and dangerous, he stressed. Military activities have continued and the loss of off-site power on seven occasions has forced emergency diesel generators — the last line of defence against a nuclear accident — to cool spent fuel and the reactor. “We are fortunate that a nuclear accident has not yet happened,” he underscored, emphasizing: “We are rolling a dice and, if this continues, then one day our luck will run out.”

Against this backdrop, he asked both parties to the conflict to observe five principles: 

(i) no attack from or against the plant; 

(ii) no use of the plant as storage nor as a base for heavy weapons or military personnel; 

(iii) no placement of off-site power at risk;

 (iv) the protection of all essential structures, systems and components from attacks or sabotage; and 

(v) no action which undermines these principles.

 In requesting the Council to provide its unambiguous support, he pointed out: “These principles are to no one’s detriment and to everyone’s benefit.”

In the ensuing debate, speakers underscored the importance of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant’s safety and security as many praised IAEA for its efforts, urged parties to abide by the Agency’s five pillars and reiterated their calls on the Russian Federation to withdraw its personnel from the plant.

Delegates from Mozambique, China, Brazil, United Kingdom, Albania all reiterated the need to prevent a nuclear conflagration.  On the other hand, the representative from the Russian Federation was unable to create a safety zone around Zaporiszhzhia because of Kyiv’s inability to negotiate.

Ukraine’s representative pointed out that it is Moscow who has violated all key international principles of nuclear safety and security by illegally occupying the plant and making it an element of its military strategy.

Source: UN SC

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Data for Durable Solutions: Ukraine - Symposium Summary Report and Way Forward 

On 30 and 31 March 2023, under the aegis of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s office in Ukraine (RCO), the International Organization of Migration (IOM), Mission in Ukraine, convened a two-day symposium in Kyiv on Data for Durable Solutions to Internal Displacement in Ukraine.

One year on from the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the estimated number of internally displaced people (IDPs) within the country is lower than the estimated number of those who have already returned to their places of habitual residence. With strong official data systems in the country complemented by operational data from multiple actors, developing a common framework of understanding of data for durable solutions policy and programming is more than timely. With a strong relevance for the in-country response, the symposium was well aligned with global discussions on frameworks for durable solutions, including the latest proposed recommendations of the Inter-Agency Data for Solutions to Internal Displacement (DSID) Taskforce to the United Nations Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement.

The Data for Solutions Symposium welcomed 82 registered participants, representing 29 organizations including four key institutions of the Government of Ukraine (GoU) – namely, the Ministry of Social Policy, the Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, the Reforms Delivery Office of the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Ministry of Digital Transformation. A complete list of participants is in the Annex below.

The symposium report outlines the challenges and opportunities identified by participants in an effort to establish a joint approach and a way forward2 . The report documents a joint commitment of participants to work collaboratively towards a shared, evidence-based understanding for recovery and durable solutions (DS) programming in Ukraine, reflecting the consultative sessions held during the two-day workshop

The symposium presented recommendations around six core themes:

Common priorities and consensus on durable solutions:  Ensuring the quality of life of IDPs should be the central priority of durable solutions for them;

High level commitment to data for solutions:  Data have an important role in effective programming.

Whole-of-government approach to solutions:   Recovery and solutions to displacement are cross-sectoral, rendering it the responsibility of all line-ministries. 

A joined-up approach to data for solutions: There is a need to faciltitate the harmonization of technical approaches between the GoU and international humanitarian, reconstruction and development partners.

Data-rich context:  The symposium highlighted the untapped potential of increased alignment and integration of data systems across government and international partners for durable solutions. 

Government/national coordination of data for solutions:  It would be significant that shared data repository would be made available to all ministries and government entities to inform solutions and recovery programming through better coordination and consolidation of the already existing information. 

The full report and Annex are available at this link:  https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/data-durable-solutions-ukraine-symposium-summary-report-and-way-forward 

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UNHCR and the Chernivtsi Regional State Administration strengthen ongoing cooperation in support of people affected by the war

On May 30, 2023, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Chernivtsi Regional State Administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation and support people affected by the war in rebuilding and rebuilding their homes and lives.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine, the Chernivtsi region has sheltered tens of thousands of displaced persons fleeing the hostilities. Currently, about 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are registered in the region.

However, despite the remoteness of the region from the front line, the consequences of the war, as in many other regions of Ukraine, are felt here as well. Therefore, the regional state administration, together with the UNHCR and many other organizations, is making every effort to ensure that Ukrainians seeking refuge feel safe and protected.

To increase the capacity of social protection departments to register displaced persons and improve their access to social benefits, including pensions, UNHCR organized trainings and provided office equipment, including laptops. Generators were also provided to places of compact living in the city of Chernivtsi and the region, as well as a center for victims of gender violence in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), where families of displaced persons now live safely. 

UNHCR also supported Points of Invincibility in Chernivtsi region with solid fuel heaters, water storage canisters and hygiene kits. UNHCR, together with NGO partner NEEKA, helped host communities renovate housing, including by creating 335 new beds and improving living conditions for 890 people.

Source:   UNHCR

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Largest-ever UNICEF Spilno Spot opens at Kyiv railway station

Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have opened their largest-ever children's safe space at Kyiv’s central railway station, where youngsters and their parents can rest, play educational games, and receive health care and mental health services.

With a footprint of 700 square metres, the new Spilno Child Spot is the most extensive to date, with other spots having opened in Kharkiv and Lviv. It has several unique sections – a sports and play area created by the JuniorS Healthy Youth Movement, a football corner by FC Lokomotiv, and a science museum with railway exhibits by the Minor Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

The new Spilno Spot, dubbed ‘Iron Land’, is designed to ensure the comfortable stay of parents with children and includes areas for recharging smartphones and convenient waiting areas for parents. Children, too, can relax, play and learn in the space, with a large play area for children aged 3–16 years, a library, games and a model of a real high-speed Tarpan train on show, with access to the driver's cab. Private breastfeeding rooms and changing rooms are also available.

“Spilno Spots serve as points of stability for children,” notes UNICEF Ukraine Representative Murat Sahin. “Here, children spend time with their peers playing and learning. The Spilno network is also a platform for integrated services from UNICEF. By opening the biggest Spilno Spot in Ukraine in the Kyiv train station, we are giving children from all over Ukraine the opportunity to fulfil their potential and feel safe despite the war. Children who are participating in developmental activities today, will be tomorrow’s leaders for the recovery of Ukraine.”

Source: UNICEF

HOLY FATHER ON UKRAINE

General Audience - May 31, 2023

Accolgo con affetto i giovani di “Rondine Cittadella della Pace” di Arezzo, accompagnati dal Vescovo Monsignor Andrea Migliavacca, con un pensiero grato per quanti, venendo dall’Ucraina e dalla Russia e da altri Paesi di guerra, hanno deciso di non essere nemici, ma di vivere da fratelli. Il vostro esempio possa suscitare propositi di pace in tutti, anche in coloro che hanno responsabilità politiche. E questo ci deve portare a pregare di più per la martoriata Ucraina ed esserle vicini.

Infine, come di consueto, mi rivolgo ai giovani, ai malati, agli anziani e agli sposi novelli. Oggi, ultimo giorno del mese di Maggio, la Chiesa celebra la Visita di Maria alla cugina Elisabetta, dalla quale è proclamata beata perché ha creduto alla parola del Signore (cf. Lc 1, 45). Guardate a Lei e da Lei implorate il dono di una fede sempre più coraggiosa. Alla sua materna intercessione affidiamo quanti sono provati dalla guerra, specialmente la cara e martoriata Ucraina che tanto soffre.

Regina Caeli - June 4, 2023

I entrust to Her, caring Mother, the populations afflicted by the scourge of war, especially the dear and beleaguered Ukraine.

A Lei, Madre premurosa, affido le popolazioni provate dal flagello della guerra, specialmente la cara e martoriata Ucraina.

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IMAGES FROM CR4U MEMBERS