IDPs and NGCA residents’ needs in GCA

time, Valuyske rural council representative from Site 3 noted that some connection with rates of COVID-19 infection may be observed with border-crossing patterns . So closing of crossing point in Stanytsia Luhanska may be a justified measure from this particular angle — to limit spread of COVID-19) .

While Stanytsia Luhanska border crossing remained open despite serious disruptions, the border crossing in Zolote, and the newly created point in Shchastia, could not operate due to being blocked from the NGCA . Similar disruptions were observed with border crossing points in Donetsk oblast . Cases of violation of ceasefire were also on the rise during the pandemic, and in particular in April this year .

As far as gender dynamics in border-crossing patterns is concerned, some respondents suggested that perhaps women cross the border more often . Firstly, since one of the main reasons to cross to Ukrainian side consists in obtaining Ukrainian pension, and since women’s life expectancy exceeds that of men by ten years, there are simply more women in the pensioners’ age group . Secondly, the process of border-crossing is seen as somewhat “safer” for women (“I see more women… they move around more, there are way fewer men… Men can be confronted, but there is no such treatment towards women yet”) .

PAX report notes similar tendencies, while research by Marta Chumalo of all-Ukrainian survey of IDPs did not reveal differences in the frequency of crossings by men and women, only in the means of transportation used . Her analysis showed that women are more likely to cross on foot (8,3 % vs 6,4%), or by bus/minibus – 52,8% vs 39,2 % in occupied territories, 33,9% vs 25,6% in grey zone and 53,9% vs 43,6% ukraine controlled territories . As for men, they are more likely to use their own private vehicle (18,0% vs 10,4%), or cross as a passenger in somebody else’s private vehicle (27,3% vs 23,0%) . This suggests that women are more dependent on the goodwill of public transport providers and border-crossing staff, and may be confronted with greater risks and complications, compared to men who are more likely to cross in the comfort of their private vehicles .

Focus group respondents from site 2 and site 3 also noted the prevalence of so-called “medical tourism” to occupied territories . They claimed that they “don’t know which doctors are good here”,but that there are good specialists in Donetsk and Luhansk . Some respondents also listed financial concerns, with cost of treatment and medications being significantly lower in NGCA’s, or even free of charge (although one of the focus-group members objected that “free cheese is only in a mousetrap”) . This practice of medical tourism is confirmed by PAX report, and by the research on the needs of IDPs during COVID-19 pandemic . Both reports insist that such practices, as well as decisions to remain or to return to occupied territories should not be seen as a politically-motivated decisions, but rather as a “survival strategy”

IDPs who live in areas near the demarcation line, are engaged in transfrontier practices, crossing the demarcation line to receive medical or other service. This movement between GCAs and NGCAs reflects the basic needs both of IDPs who left their homes and moved to GCAs, and those citizens of Ukraine who continue to live on NGCAs in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Basic reasons for such practices include the need to look after elderly family members and property, as well as social and medical services. Limitation of demarcation line crossings with the start of the pandemic had grave consequences such as inability to receive necessary medical aid.

Vaccination began in all three sites, and several respondents (healthcare workers and vulnerable groups) reported benefitting from vaccination, but the majority remains skeptical. This tendency is especially worrying when social workers, who work with vulnerable groups, are themselves fearful, and as a result — discourage their beneficiaries, instead of informing and encouraging them.