Swiss convoy to aid civilian population in eastern Ukraine reaches Donetsk

Local news, 15.05.2015


On 15 May 2015 Switzerland sent a convoy carrying 300 tonnes of chemical water treatment products to eastern Ukraine to supply approximately 3.5 million people in need in the Donetsk region with clean drinking water. This is the first humanitarian convoy of its size to have crossed the contact line between the government-controlled area and that under the control of non-government forces since the armed conflict began in the region. The convoy is being accompanied by Manuel Bessler, the Federal Council Delegate for Swiss Humanitarian Aid.

A 15-truck convoy organised by Swiss Humanitarian Aid reached the city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine today. After a journey of several hours from Dnipropetrovsk through areas on both sides of the contact line, the convoy delivered approximately 300 tonnes of chemicals to the Donetsk water company. As soon as the convoy reached the company, the water treatment chemicals – mainly aluminium sulphate – were pumped into the waterworks reservoir to supply the population on both sides of the contact line with clean drinking water. Swiss Humanitarian Aid organised this delivery because the drinking water supply in the conflict zone no longer meets health standards owing to a lack of disinfection capacities, resulting in the spread of diseases like hepatitis A.

This humanitarian convoy, which is being accompanied by Manuel Bessler, the Federal Council Delegate for Swiss Humanitarian Aid, is the first of its size to have crossed the contact line between the government-controlled area and that under the control of non-government forces since the armed conflict first broke out in the region. It is also the first time that the government in Kyiv has collaborated with a third country in carrying out a major relief operation both in the area controlled by the government and the area under the control of non-government forces.

In addition to the programmes which the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) have long been supporting in Ukraine, Swiss Humanitarian Aid has been providing aid on both sides of the contact line since the conflict erupted in Ukraine at the beginning of 2014. Swiss Humanitarian Aid initially concentrated its efforts on providing funding and support staff for multilateral organisations (UNHCR, WFP, ICRC) active on both sides of the contact line.

In addition, Swiss Humanitarian Aid has made available a budget of CHF 3 million in 2015 for four bilateral lines of action to assist civilians in need. Besides water-treatment assistance, Swiss Humanitarian Aid is also providing emergency assistance for those most in need via the Czech partner organisation People in Need which is, for example, repairing damaged homes. Swiss Humanitarian Aid is also supporting the supply of medicines and medical supplies to the area under the control of non-government forces and of medical equipment to the government-controlled area. In order to improve the coordination and efficiency of humanitarian relief efforts on the ground, Switzerland has also seconded Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit specialists to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and made a financial contribution of CHF 500,000 to the WHO.

Local news, 26.10.2015

As a response to the continued humanitarian needs of the population in the conflict affected areas of Eastern Ukraine, the Humanitarian Aid Department of the Government of Switzerland delivered another shipment of 505 tons of water purification chemicals and medical supplies on both sides of the contact line on 26 October 2015. Switzerland recalls the obligation of all parties to the conflict to grant all humanitarian organizations rapid and unrestricted access to the people in need based on universally recognized humanitarian principles.

An assessment mission conducted by Swiss experts to the conflict affected areas at the end of August 2015 confirmed that humanitarian needs with regard to safe drinking water and healthcare persist. As a result of this finding, today a total of 31 trucks have been sent from Dnipropetrovsk to Krasnoarmiisk, Mariupol and Donetsk, respectively, providing the Vodadonbas water utility with different chemical products such as aluminum sulfate and chlorine for the disinfection of drinking water for the local population on both sides of the contact line. In addition, four hospitals in Donetsk have been provided with lab reagents, anti-cancer drugs and other medical goods. A similar shipment will be sent soon to two hospitals in Dnipropetrovsk.

The delivery of the humanitarian goods was organized with the active support of the Ukrainian authorities in Kyiv and interlocutors in the non-government controlled area of the Donetsk region. Precious logistical assistance for the preparation of the shipment was provided by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other international partner organizations. The transport itself was conducted by an expert team of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Department supported by the Swiss Embassy and the Swiss Cooperation Office in Kyiv. The total value of the consignment is approx. USD 1 million.

Between April and June 2015, Switzerland had already carried out two similar aid transports to Eastern Ukraine, benefitting the civilian population on both sides of the contact line. A total of 38 trucks carrying 740 tons of water-treatment chemicals and medical supplies were made available. Approximately 3.2 million people were thereby supplied with safe drinking water for more than six months. Furthermore, five hospitals were provided with medical equipment and medicines. As a result of this, in Dnipropetrovsk at least one hundred patients suffering from kidney failure received regular kidney dialysis, and in Donetsk chemotherapy for several hundred cancer patients and other treatments were ensured for three months.

Switzerland shares the concerns of international humanitarian actors about the suspension of most of their regular aid operations in the non-government controlled area since summer, despite the continuing need for shelter, drinking water and medical supplies especially for the local population living close to the contact line. The situation is also critical for the elderly, for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, and for families with no fixed income.

Switzerland therefore recalls all parties to the conflict the obligation to grant humanitarian organizations rapid and unrestricted access to those in need, particularly in view of the upcoming winter months, in accordance with universally agreed principles based on international humanitarian law.

Switzerland urges all parties to do their utmost to ensure permanent availability of - and access to - water, electricity, and gas as well as social and financial services. The capacities provided at checkpoints along the contact line should be further enhanced to improve freedom of movement across the contact line and within the region.

The recent stabilization of the ceasefire and certain progress achieved in the implementation of the Minsk Arrangements are welcomed developments. Switzerland once more expresses its hope for a peaceful and lasting resolution of the conflict.

Further information:

Embassy of Switzerland to Ukraine

vul. Kozyatynska 12, P.O. Box 114, UA-01015 Kyiv
E-Mail: kie.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/kiev

Swiss Cooperation Office in Ukraine

vul. Hlybochytska 4, UA-04050 Kyiv
E-Mail: kye.sco@eda.admin.ch
Web: https://www.eda.admin.ch/ukraine