In particular, the participants agreed: i) to set up a Coordination Council of all entities that provide assistance, ii) to establish a common resource centre with up-to-date information about the camps, provision of psychological assistance, legal support, etc., iii) to facilitate cooperation of those who deal with transportation of people from crisis regions. The participants hope that such Coordination Council will be established at the level of Governor of the region.

 

The last evidence showcases that the 'second wave' of displaced persons started to arrive to the region. In particular, these are vulnerable groups – disabled persons, elderly men and women, pregnant women and children. Neither state authorities nor NGOs can count the exact number of displaced persons. Vanno Noupech, Deputy Regional Representative of UN High Commissioner for Refugees, refers to 15 thousand persons (including internally displaced persons from Crimea). He claims that these data are not accurate and include only those who applied for help or tried to get registered at a new place of stay. Vanno Noupech also points out that it is necessary to draft a mid and long-term assistance plan, whereas after the provisional housing is ensured and fundamental needs are met, other social and economic issues will inevitably emerge (admission to schools and kindergartens, employment, paying pensions and social insurance, etc.)

 

Valeriya Lutkovska, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasized that the government representatives have to pay visits to the camps for internally displaced persons. "Notwithstanding the lack of staff and financial resources, such visits are mandatory. It is the only way for you to see the problems of those who need help. It is a common case that people in such camps cannot leave them just because they do not know where to apply".

 

Branka Šesto, Head of UN Regional monitoring mission on human rights, pointed out the need to carry out a large-scale awareness raising campaign about the camps and help centres for internally displaced persons. "When a person arrives to a railway station, he/she should know whom to contact. Information stands and boards should be placed everywhere, radio and TV should regularly inform about the centres for internally displaced persons. People should know where they can get help".

 

Civic activists also insist on setting up the so-called 'transit camp' at the border of Kharkiv region where internally displaced person can obtain primary information, get registered, undergo primary medical examination and receive psychological assistance.

 

The meeting was initiated by the UN monitoring mission on human rights. To ensure high efficiency of the Coordination Council, it is planned to carry out such meetings at least once per week.