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Mid-Year Monitoring Report on crossing EECP's and IBCP's (January-June 2021)

October 1, 2021

This report provides the results of observation at all seven Entry-Exit Checkpoints (EECPs) and the survey conducted at two of them (Novotroitske EECP in Donetska Oblast and Stanytsia Luhanska EECP in Luhanska Oblast) in the first half of 2021. Additionally, the report also contains some preliminary observations at International-Border Checkpoints (IBCPs) from April to June of 2021.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The flow of crossing people continued to decline in 2021. According to the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) statistics, there were 6,589,000 crossings in the first half of 2019 and 2,656,000 crossings in the corresponding period of 2020, while only 274,000 crossings have taken place in the first half of 2021.

• In the first half of 2019 and 2020 receiving state benefits and other cash-related issues were the most commonly cited reasons given for NGCA residents to cross the contact line, whereas in 2021 visiting relatives was their most common reason listed. Before the introduction of quarantine restrictions, long lines were a major concern at all EECPs. When crossings were allowed through two EECPs, possible issues with permits were most commonly cited by respondents in 2021 as reasons for their concern.

• In the first half of 2021, UNHCR supported services facilitating the crossing of the EECPs. For example, at least 6,500 people were provided with help from R2P monitors with installing and running the mobile phone application Vdoma, and about 1,200 people were assisted by R2P in getting permissions for crossing from the Coordination Group. Also, 29,918 vulnerable elderly persons were provided with transport support at Stanytsia Luhanska EECP by NGO Proliska’s electric vehicle.

• In line with R2P advocacy, on 22 March 2021, amendments were made to Resolution #1236 on COVID‑19 measures that greatly facilitated the crossing procedure for foreigners. Foreigners who have permanent residence in Ukraine are no longer required to have insurance when crossing the contact line to GCA.

• R2P monitors reported one fatality at zero checkpoint of Stanytsia Luhanska EECP in 2021. The primary cause of death was related to heart problems.

• Сrossing the contact line remained possible only through two EECPs: Novotroitske in Donetska Oblast and Stanytsia Luhanska in Luhanska Oblast (see the table in section 8. Observations at EECPs)
• More - in the full Report below.

Mid-Year Report is available in

Ukrainian and English

The survey is a part of the monitoring of violations of rights of the conflict-affected population including internally displaced persons (IDPs) within the framework of the project “Advocacy, Protection and Legal Assistance to the Internally Displaced Population of Ukraine” implemented by Charitable Foundation (CF) “Right to Protection” (R2P) in partnership with and with the financial support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The objective of the survey is to explore the motivations and concerns of the civilians travelling between the non-government-controlled areas (NGCA) and the government-controlled areas (GCA), as well as the conditions and risks associated with crossing the contact line through EECPs during the quarantine period. More statistical data are available on the 2021 Eastern Ukraine Checkpoint Monitoring Online Dashboard.

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• ‘Crossing the contact line’, August, 2021 (REPORT)
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• Going around the contact line (NOTE)