Ukraine – The Human Face of the Eastern Conflict

In eastern Ukraine, we enter the third year of a conflict which shows no sign of abating. It has already left 22,000 people wounded, 10,000 dead and humanitarian needs persist for 3.8 million people.

The non-governmental organisations Action Contre la Faim, Danish Refugee Council and Norwegian Refugee Council provide protection and assistance to civilians in Ukraine, facing daily the humanitarian and recovery needs of the people and communities, as well as the constraints imposed on humanitarian access. The lives and well-being of the conflict-affected population should not be hostages of the current political deadlock. With the support of the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department, ACF, DRC and NRC hosted the conference:

Ukraine – The Human Face of the Eastern Conflict

On the 23^rd January 2017, at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels

From 15:00 to 17:30.

Through a panel discussion, the conference aimed to bring a human vision of the conflict.

• Key Note Speech: European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (TBC)
• Conference moderators: Thomas Ribemont, President, Action Contre la Faim  

Krista Zongolowicz, Country Director Danish Refugee Council Ukraine

• Local and regional conflict analysis: Anna Matveeva, Senior Research Fellow, King’s College, London
• Humanitarian situation: Vanessa Merlet, Ukraine Country Director, People in Need
• Human rights of IDPs: Dr Chaloka Beyani, former Special Rapporteur of Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, United Nations
• Human Rights and protection in Donbass:Fiona Frazer, Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine 

Following the panel discussion, an open question and answer session offered the opportunity to bring together our visions and knowledge to create a fertile space for sharing, with the participation of 5 key Ukrainian NGO representatives.