Keeping our eyes on the long-term in eastern Ukraine

Two years on, the conflict in eastern Ukraine rarely makes the international headlines. Indeed, few people realize it has affected 3.7 million women, girls, boys and men of all ages, forcing families out of their homes and putting the communities hosting them under huge pressure.

There has been a real reduction in civilian casualties since warring parties renewed their commitment to ceasefire in early September. However, the different factions and the international community must ensure all necessary precautions are taken to protect the lives and livelihoods of civilians.

It is crucial to focus on humanitarian and early recovery aid, especially in regions directly affected by the conflict and start paving the way for long-term development. Stabilizing livelihoods and bringing the conflict-affected region back to normal life by promoting social cohesion, security and employment must be a priority.

Entering into dialog with those affected by the conflict, understanding their needs and hopes, is the only way to design programs that adequately respond to the challenges on the ground.

People are the ultimate source of energy and development progress. Both the internally displaced and host communities are proving every day that it is possible to recover from crisis. Individuals are eager to take professional training, use information about job opportunities, and make good use of healthcare and education infrastructure. They are also keen to take part in decision making at the local level about priority needs and solutions that serve the local communities.

The UN and other international partners and donors have been at the forefront of development efforts to address these needs and support the recovery effort. So far, the generous contributions of UNDP partners have enabled the delivery of crucial livelihood and social care services, such as psychological support or legal assistance, to 150,000 persons affected by the conflict, including through the creation of 5,000 jobs.

A water pumping station destroyed by intense shelling in 2014, has also been restored in Semenivka, making tap water available and reliable again to roughly 3.5 million people, businesses and public facilities, covering over 95 percent of the Donetsk oblast territory on both sides of the contact line. Illustrating the dire fragility of the region, in recent weeks water stations of the same system located in the government-controlled area of the Luhansk region have had no electricity supply since early October due to unpaid bills, cutting off water and heating to 600,000 people as the harsh Ukrainian winter is coming. Such potential for dire humanitarian problems must be avoided at all costs.

In one week’s time I am going myself to Kramatorsk to meet some of the most determined, highly inspiring Ukrainian individuals in the Donetsk region. Many of them had lost everything. Yet, with a little help from our small grants program, these individuals are bringing life back to their communities by starting a new business from scratch and creating jobs. Others have relocated entire factories and social facilities to continue offering their vital services to those who need them.

UNDP will continue to support grassroots projects to help people and communities get back on their feet and push for the full realization of their rights. Now more than ever is the time to harness all the resources and capacities possible to support the communities affected by the conflict and make sure that people can ultimately put a roof over their heads, food on the table, and send their children to school.

Cihan Sultanoglu is the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations