Due to the coronavirus pandemic, crossing of Donbas checkpoints will be significantly limited, most likely until mid-summer 2021. This forecast is given in Ukraine 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan.
"It is likely that the work of checkpoints on the contact line will remain substantially limited until at least mid-summer 2021," the plan informs.
The document notes that Covid-19 will remain the main influencing factor until at least mid-2021. The situation is also expected to worsen in the coming winter period.
The UN Office stressed that already this year, restrictions on crossing the contact line "have further increased the vulnerability of people."
At the same time, the organization is pinning hopes on the full-fledged opening of Schastya and Zolote checkpoints in Luhansk region.
"The full operation of two new checkpoints in Luhansk region will provide a long-awaited relief of the situation in local communities. People will be able to cross the contact line faster and will have improved access to a number of services: banking services, administrative support and medical assistance," the document says.
As we reported earlier, Emergencies Ministry of the Russian Federation has sent the 100th convoy of trucks with humanitarian aid to Donbas.
According to the ministry, Russian trucks are transporting about 95 tons of humanitarian aid to the occupied territories of Donbas.
The cargo included medical devices and medicines.
