Ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine drives more people from their homes – UN
2 September 2014 – The number of displaced people in eastern Ukraine has risen dramatically in recent weeks due to the
ongoing fighting in the country, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said today, warning of corresponding increases in the need for humanitarian aid for civilians in the region.
The agency estimates that the number of displaced people inside Ukraine has more than doubled during the past three
weeks, and as of 1 September, that number stands at approximately 260,000, according to spokesperson Adrian Edwards, who addressed reporters in Geneva today.
At the same time, he stressed that those numbers might not be fully accurate, as many of them are staying with families
and friends and have not registered with the authorities. Therefore, the actual number of persons displaced could be
higher.
Eastern towns such as Donetsk, Luhansk and neighbouring towns are the more affected regions in the country, with almost
94 per cent of civilians displaced. Local authorities reported that some 10,000 people left Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia and
Berdiansk and other locations, after the military activities of the anti-Government forces in Novoazovsk.
The ongoing shelling in the country has also caused lack of access to basic necessities, such as water and food. Those
in Luhansk and other cities have, for instance, also been affected by electricity shortages and communication problems
for a month.
The UN refugee agency reports severe damage to main infrastructure, including buildings and roads. This has inevitably
limited deliveries of humanitarian aid to those in need.
“Newly displaced people are arriving with limited resources and are more dependent on aid” stressed Mr. Edwards.
He said that UNHCR was urging additional support and assistance to those who have been displaced. With the winter
approaching, he underlined the need for extra help. The UN was also calling for special support for the Luhansk region,
where citizens are still waiting for life-saving aid.
However, if the situations allows, UNHCR has plans to conduct a fact-finding mission later in the week, he added.
Alongside with other humanitarian partners, UNHCR is also distributing food provided by different foundations.
ENDS