Crucial humanitarian aid reaches East Ukraine following August fighting

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said Tuesday it sent thirteen trucks carrying 260 tons of shelter materials and basic relief items to Horvlika and surrounding areas not controlled by the Ukrainian government.

Supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) and partners, sent items to the eastern Ukranian town included reinforced plastics sheets, timber, plywood, roofing sheets, cement and other construction materials. Around 40 percent of the local population has departed, according to local authorities.

Despite a ceasefire signed earlier this year, UNHCR reported that protracted fighting and shelling since the beginning of last month had destroyed more than 1,200 private homes in the town of Horvlika.

Furthermore, local authorities indicated that over 260 multi-storey buildings, of which 17 were hospitals and 82 were school establishments, had been affected.

Additional damage included civil infrastructure such as road bridges. As well, nearly a quarter of the town's heating facilities have reported disruptions in the provision of electricity and water.

The UN Refugee Agency stated that the humanitarian and sheltered goods delivered this past weekend would enable over 5,000 families to use materials for emergency repairs.

More than 3,000 individuals are also to receive basic relief items such as blankets, bed linens, and towels from UNHCR's partner 'People in Need' in the next ten days.

UNHCR highlighted the importance of providing humanitarian assistance and basic relief aid as autumn and winter months approach. Endit