Ukraine: Humanitarian Snapshot (as of 18 July 2018)

Rapid deterioration of security situation marked in May was followed by a relative lull in hostilities in June. However, civilians continued to pay the highest price, with 38 civilians injured in June - an 38 per cent decrease compared to May, according to OHCHR. During the past month shelling at or near the critical water supply utilities or sanitation facilities continued at the similar rate, with a total of 10 incidents reported.

On 6 June, sporadic shelling near the Donetsk Filter Station (DFS) damaged high voltage electricity lines, which are critical for its operation. As a result DFS stopped its operations for two days, which meant that regular water supply for 345,000 people, it served on both sides of the ‘contact line’, was suspended. On a separate occasion, a staff member of another water utility facility located in the non-Government controlled area (NGCA) was shot and injured while on duty. Despite being regularly exposed to shelling, sniper-fire and mine-contamination, civilian workers, including water treatment staff, continue to risk their lives every day to ensure critical infrastructure continues to function. Furthermore, landmines and unexploded ordnances (UXOs) continue to pose deadly risks to ordinary people, with 106 killed or injured since the beginning of 2018. Latest report of the NGO HelpAge International highlighted that elderly with disabilities were afraid to go outdoors due to fear of landmines and shelling. Against this background, the Mine Action activities under the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) remain severely underfunded with only 11 per cent received against the required US$9.2 million. On a positive note Ukraine received a CERF allocation of approximately US$6 million to urgently upscale humanitarian operations, including provision of protection services to address the critical needs of the most vulnerable people.