The European Union has provided a new package of humanitarian assistance worth 15 million euros to help people affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said during his visit to Ukraine on July 1.
“It’s essential that humanitarian aid gets to all vulnerable people affected by the conflict. Humanitarian organizations need to have safe and speedy access to the conflict areas. I am very concerned about the continued fighting in Ukraine’s Donbas, despite the ceasefire agreement. The impact of the violence on the civilian population is alarming,” the European Commission quoted Stylianides as saying.
According to the European Commission’s report, which ahs been posted on its website, the new funding brings the Commission’s total humanitarian and early recovery assistance to those affected by the conflict in Ukraine to over 62 million euros in addition to important bilateral assistance from a number of the EU member states. Together with the funding provided directly by the EU member states, the EU as a whole has directed over 223 million euros to those affected by the conflict since early 2014.
The European Commission said that projects implemented until June 2015 – funded partially or totally by the Commission – have directly helped 1.57 million Ukrainians, including over 290,000 (18 percent) children under 17 and over 160,000 (10 percent) elderly persons over 50 years of age.
About 55 percent of the Commission’s humanitarian assistance is for the benefit of people in need in non-government controlled areas. EU humanitarian aid also goes to internally displaced people and to refugees who have fled the conflict areas, as well as to returnees.
“EU humanitarian aid is often distributed in the form of cash and vouchers, allowing maximum efficiency and preserving the dignity of the affected people. The recipients can buy essential items at the local shops and markets, thus supporting the local economy,” the report said.
