Today we present R2P report ‘Crossing the line of contact’ for August 2019. It is based on data collected during 47 visits to the five entry-exit checkpoints (EECPs) in August 2019. More statistical data can be found on the Eastern Ukraine Checkpoint Monitoring Online Dashboard.

Highlights:

▪ Maiorske EECP was closed on 28/08/2019 from 13:15 to 14:20 due to the “red” alert. According to the people traveling from NGCA, they had to wait on the checkpoint without a bomb shelter during the alert. Civilians in GCA were evacuated from the EECP.

▪ UNHCR with support from its partner NGO Proliska launched an electric car at Stanytsia Luhanska EECP to transport most vulnerable pedestrians: 75+, people with disabilities, pregnant women and children. The electric car operates daily from 7 AM to 5 PM and can transport up to 400 people a day.

▪ By the end of August, the demining process in the vicinity of Stanytsia Luhanska EECP was completed in GCA, preparations for the reconstruction of the bridge are in progress.

▪ The number of respondents who were accompanying minors (mostly (90%) – NGCA residents) reached 15%, which is 8% more than the average for previous months of 2019. Older people were less likely to travel with children (6% compared to 37% of respondents aged 18-34). Such respondents had substantially different reasons for crossing, as seen on the chart.

The report is based on the results of a survey conducted by R2P at the five EECPs to enter the NGCA and administered on a regular basis since June 2017. The survey is a part of the monitoring of violations of rights of conflict-affected populations within the framework of the project ‘Advocacy, Protection and Legal Assistance to IDPs’ implemented by R2P, with the support of UNHCR. The purpose of the survey is to explore reasons and concerns of those traveling from the NGCA to the GCA, as well as conditions and risks associated with crossing the line of contact through EECPs. The information collected in the survey helps identify protection needs, gaps and trends, and provides an evidentiary basis for advocacy efforts.The document can be downloaded in English and Ukrainian.