The Children of the Contact Line in East Ukraine: An Assessment of the Situation of Children and Their Families Living in Government-Controlled Areas along the Contact Line in the East Ukraine Conflict Zone

The Contact Line

“Yes, it is terrible to have to listen to the shelling from Kurakhove [about 17km from the contact line], but what they are listening to is us being shelled. And we understand that they have less work due to the conflict, but we have no work… If they get sick they can get to the hospital. If we get hurt during shelling, we have to wait until the shelling ends or hope soldiers evacuate us… My child can’t go to kindergarten because our kindergartens were destroyed. Their children are safe in school. Yes, they lose power sometimes, but I’ve had to sit in cold basement almost every evening with my husband and children for the last two months just waiting… and the suspense is heavy. The war is here.” Interview in East Marinka, November 4th, 2016.

Key Findings: Population: Educational Enrollment: Over 54,000 children live within 15km (GCA) Over 19,000 children live within 5km (GCA) Educational Enrollment: More than 42,000 children attend 292 educational facilities within 15km of the contact line Over 15,000 attends facilities within 5km 55 children in 6 location crossed the contact line daily to get to school (less this school year) and many more cross to take DPA exams in some contact line schools

Numbers of Children at Risk of Shelling (GCA) Dangers from Shelling Numbers of Children at Risk of Shelling (GCA) Within 5km of Contact Line Over 19,000 In Settlements with Direct or Nearby Shelling at Least Once a Month Over 12,000 In Settlements Directly Shelled at Least Twice a Week Over 4,700 In Districts of Settlements that Get Shelled Multiple Times a Week and Force Children to Spend Substantial Time in Makeshift Bomb Shelters Over 200

ERW, Isolation and Effects on Livelihoods

Military groups visited most schools along the contact 3-4 times over the last year In some settlements, the very close proximity of military installations to educational facilities can make them a target and put children in danger

Psychosocial Distress and Gender-Based Violence Large numbers of children continue to suffer from conflict-induced psycho-social problems, including symptoms of PTSD and very little support is available for these children. These cases are highest within the 5km, specifically in locations that have seen the highest levels of ongoing violence. Cases of sexual exploitation of girls under the age of 18 for money were reported at multiple locations along the contact line. School directors report that the on-going fighting and economic depression in many 5km towns has worsened existing gender-based violence as well as abuse and neglect in the home