11.12.2019

Where help is needed most in Eastern Ukraine

Interviews to mark International Migrants Day (18 December 2019)

The children have experienced terrible things. But when they see Crass, they laugh and rush to give him a big hug. The therapy dog is helping them to work through the horrors of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine and to find joy and happiness in their new home. The conflict has been threatening Ukraine’s political and economic stability for more than five years. Around 800,000 people have sought refuge in communities surrounding the areas beset by armed clashes. They are internally displaced – migrants in their own country. The challenge is that many communities do not have enough accommodation or social services.

On behalf of the German Development Ministry (BMZ), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is assisting communities where they need help most. For example, specially trained therapy dogs and psychologists are giving emotionally traumatised girls and boys hope and support. In addition, 40,000 children are benefiting from renovated schools, kindergartens and other educational and social facilities. With so many new patients, hospitals and care centres are also reaching their limits. Initiatives to modernise health facilities, operating theatres and delivery rooms have given around a million people access to better health care.

How can tension between the local population and internally displaced people be diffused? How can living conditions be improved? What can be done to ensure that displaced children are able to go to school? And how and where can internally displaced people find a place to live in the long term?

Our expert Uwe Stumpf will be available to answer these and other questions on 16 December 2019.