Following the self-proclamation of the separatist “people’s republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk (Donbass region) in April 2014, which followed the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, a 467-kilometre “contact line” divided these two oblasts (regions) between an area controlled by the Ukrainian government (GCA) and another controlled by separatist forces (NGCA). Clashes have continued despite the holding of “Normandy format” negotiations between France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine in December 2019 to restart the peace process and implement the Minsk agreements.
The year 2022 was marked by the massive invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on 24 February. This invasion led to the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War. More than 6.5 million civilians have been displaced within the country and 7.8 million have sought refuge in Europe. Ukraine is currently facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with 17.6 million people in need, or 49% of the current Ukrainian population.
TGH has been present in the country since 2015, following the conflict resulting from the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and the self-proclamation of the autonomous republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The programme implemented at the time focused on protection activities and the distribution of electronic vouchers. Thanks to this intervention, TGH was able to help elderly and isolated people along the contact line.
Following the Russian invasion on 24 February, TGH moved its offices from Kramatorsk (Dombass) to Lviv in the west of the country. Thanks to this base, TGH was able to quickly set up an emergency response to meet the priority needs of the population in the protection sector and through the distribution of unconditional financial assistance (MPCA).
Over the months, TGH has consolidated its presence and operations, opening new bases in Vinnistya, Cherkasy and Dnipro and expanding its areas of intervention to include water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) / the rehabilitation of war-damaged infrastructure and housing (shelter) and the distribution of non-food items (NFI).
TGH’s large-scale response is made possible through close cooperation with local civil society organisations.
From October 2024 TGH established its coordination office in Kyiv and has been focusing on Protection and Shelter in the Eastern region, supporting people in need in the Kharkivka Oblast, Donetska Oblast (GCA) and Zaporiska Oblast from its operational base in Dnipro, through direct and indirect implementation. As a global nexus specialist, in parallel, TGH is also aiming to scale-up its recovery/ resilience program in the Central/ Western regions.
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