The population of Donbass for more than six years living in conditions of military conflict. The epidemic of coronavirus has aggravated existing in the region problems, and the residents of the breakaway Donetsk and Lugansk national republics were cut off from both Russia and Ukraine due to the closure of the checkpoint. The head office of the International Committee of the red cross (ICRC) in Ukraine, Florence Gillette, said in an interview NEWS.ru what is the current situation with the spread of the coronavirus and the challenges experienced by the organization in the provision of humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable categories of the population.
a Limited resources and lack of quarantine
a What is the situation with the spread of the coronavirus in the Donbass? A number of foreign experts says that this region may become a new “hot spot” of the pandemic.
— It all depends on what is meant by the Donbass. The conflict, which has lasted for more than six years, has seriously affected the lives of people on both sides of the line of contact. In many areas remained mostly people of retirement age or those who have health problems. The closer you live to the dividing line, the more vulnerable you are, the more at risk. Again, medical care in some areas preserved a decent level of medicine in the other during the conflict, the standard system was destroyed. All cause for concern. Speaking about the coronavirus, I can say one thing: to evaluate the prevalence of the disease difficult. Confirmed cases is on both sides, their number is increasing daily. But I do not have exact figures.
a — the Ukrainian authorities accused the leadership of the DNI and the LC in that they conceal the real number of infected by the coronavirus and the number of deaths. If you have such information?
— A complex question. In comparison with Europe which the region of constrained tests. It’s not so much local as global issue that depends on factors such as the availability of test systems, skilled people, territorial accessibility. If the possibility of diagnosis is limited, this will have an impact on the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus.
a — LC and DNR have different approaches to combat coronavirus: in the first case, adhere to the more stringent measures in the second — less. But none of the breakaway republics have not entered the quarantine…
— Yes, but recommendations were made to comply with self-isolation. The measures do differ, it is necessary to understand how the scheme works. In the EU depending on the countries also have certain limitations. The question is not so much what measures should be introduced, how much are people ready to follow the recommendations or strict prohibitions. The population is informed about the risk of disease, but to talk about General rules difficult. If a person lives in a remote location, or near the boundary line, then he may not be able to buy the same mask, because there is no store.
a — You mentioned a shortage of masks. Is there a scarcity or lack of other remedies and medical ventilators in hospitals?
— Yes, there are problems with the provision of medical masks and respirators. Local health authorities have already bought part of the necessary means of protection, the part has provided the ICRC. It is difficult to say whether that’s enough. Again, the deficit is observed worldwide. We make a tremendous effort to deliver on these areas as much as possible of masks and other protection. They are always needed, so we continue to work on this. But I would say that our efforts are still together.
the Working with prisoners and a new exchange of prisoners
a How can the spread of the coronavirus has affected the work of the ICRC in the region?
— Current situation could not affect the work of the ICRC. All the needs that people had before the outbreak of coronavirus, preserved — conflict continues and will not go anywhere. We try to work, but we have to adapt to new realities. In particular, we changed the method of delivery of humanitarian aid to protect as beneficiaries, and those who cooperate with us. Now if we need to get groceries, we leave them at the door. Recipients of such assistance are the elderly, they are at greater risk of disease. Also due measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus to us became more difficult to cross the contact line. People on both sides are afraid that someone may carry the virus. Ten days ago across the bridge in stanitsa Luganskaya we managed to smuggle a convoy with masks and other means of protection in Donetsk. So the work goes on. First of all, we help those who are in a high risk zone. Under this category fall the inmates. Of their place of detention is a closed environment where it is very important to prevent the spread of the virus, otherwise the situation is very complicated.
a — does the ICRC attempts to limit his work by the authorities of the breakaway republics? Whether the Committee was restricting access to prisoners?
— The last exchange of prisoners between the two sides was held on 16 April. Then we are not faced with any attempt to limit our work and perform their tasks in full. Only, we requested assistance from our colleagues from Kiev, and this time worked with local groups — ICRC widely represented on both sides of the demarcation line. We do not have access to places of detention beyond the control of government of Ukraine territories. We are discussing this issue with responsible��time-faces of Donetsk and Lugansk, but this problem occurred before the epidemic of the coronavirus, nothing has changed. Let’s see how the situation will develop. Very important for us to work directly in prison.
a April 30, will host a teleconference of the Ministers of foreign Affairs of the countries “Norman Quartet.” In your opinion, can their meeting lead to a new exchange of prisoners?
Usually we are asked to participate in the exchange only after the parties come to an agreement. But I heard that this issue can be decided.
a — This was the first year for all six years of the conflict, when the parties do not agree about the Easter truce…
— Yes, this time there was no truce, we expressed our concern. Unfortunately military action over the past three months led to a rise in the number of victims among the local population, caused damage to infrastructure. Thus in the current situation of coronavirus victims are much harder to obtain medical care. In addition, last week it was disturbed water. The damage is so extensive that it might jeopardize the water supply of the population, and in terms of the epidemic is an additional risk.
the Extension of the mission and the help of Russia
a — As I understand it, there is also the problem with pensions. Previously, many residents of the DNI and LC were forced to cross the demarcation line to withdraw money. Now, because of the coronavirus checkpoints are closed and people were left without funds. What kind of assistance from the ICRC?
— Indeed, the uncontrolled Ukrainian authorities territories not internationally recognized banking system. Before the epidemic there were those who could not receive a pension. These people physically was not able to cross the line of demarcation. Now they added those who had closed the pass due to the outbreak of coronavirus. We have expanded our assistance, began to distribute more products, so that people could minimize their costs. But to resolve this issue at the moment is impossible: pensioners will receive their money only after the abolition of the existing restrictions.
a — is the ICRC Planning in the current environment to expand its presence in the Donbass? Does Russia humanitarian assistance to the DNI and the LC in the epidemic of the coronavirus?
— At the moment we have no expansion plans. On both sides of the demarcation line employs more than 400 people, including 190 — uncontrolled Ukraine territories. It is now important to maintain our level of presence. We received financial support from a number of countries, including from Russia.
a — What is your forecast for the development of the situation with coronavirus in the Donbass?
It is very difficult to give any predictions, too much uncertainty. It is unclear how things will develop in the crisis, what risks pose the next two or three weeksI.
