UN, aid partners appeal for 298 mln USD to help vulnerable Ukrainians

Humanitarian organizations in Ukraine, together with the Ukrainian government, on Wednesday appealed for 298 million U.S. dollars to help 2.5 million of the most vulnerable people in the country in 2016, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here.

"The funding will go towards providing critical, life-saving assistance in the most affected locations along the 'contact line' and in areas beyond government control," Dujarric said at a daily news briefing.

Neal Walker, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, added that the cumulative impact of insecurity, destruction, trauma, disruption of basic services, and limitation on freedom of movement over the last two years have resulted in a high level of humanitarian and protection needs in the country, he said.

In February last year, the Humanitarian Response Plan 2015 for Ukraine appealed for 316 million dollars targeting the most vulnerable 3.2 million people of the 5 million estimated to be in need of life-saving interventions, such as healthcare, shelter and clothing, as well as psychosocial care and basic education. Enditem