Estonia sends humanitarian aid to Ukraine amid unrest

Estonia is supporting displaced people in eastern Ukraine by providing humanitarian assistance worth 70,000 euros.

The  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that Ukraine has nearly 80,000 internally displaced persons.

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that fighting in eastern Ukraine has forced many people to leave their homes and the area.

“Deteriorating security has led to an increase in the number of displaced people from the eastern part of Ukraine. Tens of thousands of local residents are suffering. We consider it necessary to support people on the ground in Ukraine, thereby helping to prevent a potential wave of displaced people,” the Foreign Minister said.

UNHCR  has increased its presence in the Ukraine and deployed a mission to the region. The main concerns which displaced people face are lack of access to social services and long-term shelter. Local authorities are assisting the displaced people with support from non-governmental organizations and donations received from private citizens.

The UNHCR has begun to provide humanitarian assistance to internally displaced people from the east part of the country.