Demand of Donbas residents in food and medications has increased, ‒ KIIS

Over the last six months the needs in food and medications have grown. Every third resident of Donetsk region needs medications, every fourth needs food. This was announced by Natalia Kharchenko, the Executive Director at Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), during the roundtable meeting called: "Donbas: life and barriers" initiated by Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center.

According to her, the requirement for fresh food products and essential medications has increased vs May 2016. The most acute shortage is experienced by retired people. It is extremely difficult for village residents too. The problems with food and medications there are more acute than in towns.

"29% of residents in Donetsk region need medications, 26% need food. Most of the food shortage reports are coming from women and retired people. People lack meat, dairy products and fresh fruit the most. People need cardiac medications, antivirals and blood pressure drugs. Besides, every sixth resident lacks household goods", ‒ Natalia Kharchenko stated.

According to sociologists, dissatisfaction with needs among residents of Donetsk region influenced their general moods. The situation in the region has deteriorated vs May 2016, the amount of negative comments has increased. Every fourth (26%) mentions that "it is impossible to handle this distress anymore". This is 9% more than in May (17%). The worst situation is observed in non-government-controlled areas and small villages on the government-controlled territory. "At the same time, the prevailing opinion under the existing circumstances is "hard to live this way, but possible to handle". Half of respondents think so", ‒ Natalia Kharchenko emphasized..

Coordinator of Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center noted that these researches help to determine the further strategy on humanitarian aid provision.

"The situation is constantly changing. Over two years of sociological studies we see that the population's social state directly depends on escalation of hostilities. During the conflict activation periods people's demand for food and medications increases. Thanks to humanitarian aid it was possible to avoid the social catastrophe. Since August 2014 the Humanitarian Center issued 10,451,000 food packages in Donbas, assistance for medical treatment was provided to 7,373 people, including 2,900 children. It is important for Rinat Akhmetov to provide effective assistance. Demand for humanitarian aid is growing, which means that the Humanitarian Center will continue its operation", ‒ Rimma Fil stated.

KIIS sociological research called "Donbas: life and barriers" took place through October 21-November 7, 2016, it was commissioned by Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center and Dopomozhemo TV. 2,102 respondents older than 18 from 100 settlements (towns and villages) of Donetsk region, both in government-controlled and non-government-controlled areas, were polled as part of the research. The study covered: current needs of the population in food, medications and non-food goods; social state of the population in Donetsk region; people's opinion about possible development of the situation in Donbas; problems associated with difficulties when crossing the contact line.