Interfax: Truce in Donbas allows ICRC to scale up humanitarian operation there
MOSCOW. Nov 2 (Interfax) - The International Committee of the Red Cross was able to boost its activity in Donbas after the ceasefire was established in southeastern Ukraine, ICRC Director of Operations Dominic Stillhart said.
"We have been able now to substantially increase our humanitarian operations both outside of Donetsk and Luhansk," Stillhart said in an interview with Interfax.
"It is true that since there is a ceasefire it has become easier for us to move, because there are fewer immediate risks related to the fighting. That has allowed us now to significantly scale up our operations in Donbas," he said.
"Despite the fact that there is a ceasefire, that there is progress on the political level, which is excellent news, the humanitarian needs on the ground are extremely poor, also moving towards winter and the cold season, so definitely the humanitarian situation remains a matter of concern," Stillhart said.
"Ukraine is one of our largest operations," he said. "I think it is the sixth largest operation that we are running for the time being with around 60 to 70 million of Swiss francs, or U.S. dollars," he said.
"We are definitely planning for at least 2016 to maintain that level of operation, because of what I have explained before, because the humanitarian needs, especially for communities along these frontlines who have seen massive destruction of their villages, all the systems are down - these people will need a lot of assistance in the coming months," Stillhart said.