Channel 24

On World Humanitarian Day, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Ms. Osnat Lubrani, appealed to donors to strengthen their financial support for millions of civilians in the east of Ukraine.

"We are thankful to donors for their support to our operations. Over 650,000 people received aid and protection so far this year. However, a lack of funds continues to deprive millions of people from much-needed aid," said Ms. Lubrani, noting that less than 30% of funds initially requested for 2019 have been mobilized for humanitarian operations so far this year.

"Funding shortages led to the suspension of water trucking for some 20,000 people, and the discontinuation of food assistance for nearly 30,000 of the most vulnerable," she said.

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Six humanitarian organizations have had to terminate their programmes in the last two years due to an absence of funds, as noted by Ms. Lubrani.

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Humanitarian organizations are now urgently appealing for US$52 million, to address time-critical needs for the remainder of 2019.

"We are fast approaching winter, which exacerbates people’s vulnerability. There are certain humanitarian needs that simply cannot go unmet," stressed the UN representative.

If funds are mobilised quickly, thousands of children in more than 30 schools will be able to continue learning in a safe environment; over 25,000 people will receive essential food parcels, and some 30,000 families living in damaged homes will receive coal and other winterisation support.