In 2016, the Government of Japan, the Government of Ukraine, the United Nations in Ukraine, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will undertake joint efforts to provide life-saving humanitarian aid, and more medium to long-term recovery assistance to people living in conflict-affected areas in eastern Ukraine. Nine projects are funded by the Government of Japan totaling USD 13.64 million.

"Japan as a responsible member of international community, back in 2014 has stretched its helping hand to Ukraine and joined the support programmes for the restoration of Donbas. All this time we are walking together to balance the situation by introducing and implementing important humanitarian and infrastructure projects. The experience of Japan is extremely valuable for Ukraine. Its strong position and support helps us to restore affected areas," said the Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Regional Development, Construction Housing and Utilities of Ukraine, Hennadii Zubko.

“Since 2014, Japan has announced assistance amounting to approximately USD 1.85 billion, the largest by country and is steadily ongoing, said Shigeki Sumi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine. Through this new assistance amounting to USD 13.64 million, Japan will provide humanitarian aid and support for social stabilization in eastern Ukraine which includes: restoration of infrastructure, provision of equipment to medical facilities and relief supplies to non-government controlled areas by means of nine international organizations. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko expressed sincere gratitude to Japan for this new support during Japan-Ukraine Summit Meeting in Tokyo on 6th April.”

The armed conflict that started in eastern Ukraine in April 2014 has severely affected social and economic conditions in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and continues to trigger humanitarian and recovery needs. At least 3.7 million have been directly affected by the conflict, more than 9,300 people killed, 21,400 wounded, and 1.78 million people registered as internally displaced persons by the Government of Ukraine. Humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people and recovery in the region are critical for successful rebuilding of the crisis-affected communities.

“As the crisis in Ukraine entered its third year, unfortunately violence continues to be a fact of life for many Ukrainians across the contact line. Some 3.1 million people, in Government and non-Government controlled areas continue to need urgent humanitarian interventions, particularly along the contact line and in areas beyond Government control. Many others, IDPs and host communities, require jobs, housing and other activities to overcome the long-term consequence of what has already become a protracted, and sadly, forgotten, crisis. Many people, most of them elderly and families with children are traumatized by the violence; and struggle to fend for themselves as markets are disrupted, economic opportunities and services poorly available, said Giovanna Barberis, UN Resident Coordinator a.i, UNICEF Representative. With the generous financial support from the Government of Japan, humanitarian and development actors will be able to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable due to the on-going crisis.”

Nine projects receive funding from the Government of Japan:

UNDP Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (USD 2.6 million) aims at supporting local socio-economic recovery and improving living conditions of at-risk/vulnerable groups (i.e., displaced, disabled, elderly, women and children) by restoring and rehabilitating critical infrastructure in Government controlled areas (GCA) of eastern Ukraine. The project will consolidate and build on the gains of the current projects funded by the Government of Japan for expanding the renovation of critical socio-economic infrastructure and service delivery in GCAs of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

UNHCR (USD 1.9 million) will assist 5,000 households (nearly 20,000 persons) through the provision of non-food item kits and shelter repairs to 1,955 households. The interventions will target the most vulnerable households with a specific focus on those living along the ‘contact line’ and adjacent areas as well as in non-Government controlled areas. With respect to shelter, UNHCR and partners will conduct light, medium and heavy repairs.

UNICEF (USD 2.6 million) will provide assistance in ensuring protective educational environment, safe water, sanitation, hygiene and mine education for children and families affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine. UNICEF will revamp 180 classes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and will enhance capacities of 500 school psychologists, teachers and social workers on psychosocial support. UNICEF will also provide access to safe drinking water for 400,000 people, and to hygiene supplies for 19,500 people including children and women and people with disabilities, in both GCA and NGCA.

UN OCHA (USD 0.5 million) is bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. OCHA also supports the leadership of the Humanitarian Country Team and the Humanitarian Coordinator in mobilizing and ensuring effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in emergencies and advocates the rights of people in need. 

UNOPS (USD 2.5 million) will provide emergency support for health response capacity in Ukraine by procuring medical equipment for two hospitals – the Military Medical Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense and for the Central Hospital of the State Border Guard Service.

WFP (USD 1.0 million) will provide food assistance to 6,360 food insecure individuals for four months with a monthly ration:  WFP will provide four months assistance to 6,360 food insecure individuals who are particularly vulnerable such as the elderly, the disabled and the immobile population not able to leave conflict-affected areas of Donetsk and Luhansk.

IOM (USD 1.1 million) will support social infrastructure rehabilitation and social cohesion among IDPs and the conflict-affected population in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The project will serve the needs of 20 communities, including eight which have already benefited from Japan-funded infrastructure upgrades and social cohesion activities implemented by IOM from March 2015 to March 2016. The establishment of day-care centres linked with psychosocial support, and community-based socio-cultural activities will further facilitate the integration of IDPs and contribute to recovery and peace in the Donbas.

The ICRC received USD 1 million to carry out its activities in connection with the armed conflict in Ukraine in favor of civilians, the displaced or resident, as well as the detained, wounded or sick people. On both sides of the ‘contact line’, ICRC teams distribute food, hygiene parcels and assist in repairing houses. Moreover, the ICRC is rehabilitating and providing medical supplies to hospitals and health facilities. The ICRC also visits detainees, helps clarify the fate of persons who are unaccounted for as a result of the armed conflict or other situations of violence and re-establishes contacts with their families.

The IFRC received USD 0.43 million to support the reintegration and social inclusion of displaced people, with a focus on vulnerable women and children, and wounded victims of conflict. Actions will promote a culture of non-violence, positive social integration and the development of individual coping capacities. Focusing equally on the individual and surrounding environments, psychosocial support (PSS) will be provided to enable people to recover from the impact of on-going conflict and strengthen their resilience.

These partnership and assistance programmes are implemented within Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe’s commitment for assistance to eastern Ukraine, announced at the UN General Assembly in September 2014.