HIGHLIGHTS

• Weather conditions beginning and middle December have been favourable for partners to continue repairs implementation. However, last week of December temperature has fallen tremendously fast to 20 degrees below zero putting vulnerable population groups at risk. Responding to this, State Emergency Service of Ukraine in cooperation with local authorities has deployed heating points in key locations. In Donetsk and Luhansk only there were 180 of those established.
• Winterization campaign continues with partners delivering winterization assistance despite many contains: delays and refusals at checkpoints, restrictions on operations in NGCA and simple inaccessibility of some villages after snowfalls. So far, partners have provided 4,251 winterization cash grants, 1,130 HHs have received insulation for their houses, coal and firewood was delivered for the 6,545 households.
• In 2015 Cluster partners have provided NFIs to 281,897 individuals, provided plastic sheeting for quick fix in immediate aftermath of shelling for 12,353 households and repaired houses (light and medium repairs) for 8,549 HHs. In addition to this, with pilot projects, 20 houses were reconstructed after being nearly completely destroyed. Some 63,673 households have received multipurpose cash grants. This was possible with huge effort on the side of partners despite numerous challenges faced with access constrains and restrictions on operations in NGCA.
• Integration as durable solution for IDPs in Ukraine becomes on agenda of the Government with the adoption by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on 16 December 2015 the Comprehensive State Programme for Support, Social Adaptation and Reintegration of Citizens of Ukraine Internally Displaced from the Temporarily Occupied Territory of Ukraine and Regions of Anti-Terrorist Operation Conduct to Other Regions of Ukraine for period until 2017 and the Action Plan to operationalize the Programme (see here in Ukrainian).
• Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) meeting took place on 21st December 2015 to summaries practices in 2015 and set direction for next year: Cluster will increase field presence and focus on work with national and local authorities. Durable shelter solutions will become top priority for 2016. See minutes and key decisions available here.