According to Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, at the end of March, the Ukraine Ministry of Social Protection reported that there were nearly 1.2 million registered internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the country. However, difficulties in verifying residence procedures for them are affecting their ability to access to social services.

OCHA said there is a high incidence of cardio-vascular disease, mental health and acute respiratory infections. Reportedly, cases of malnutrition and acute diarrhoea are also increasing in non-government controlled areas.

The pressure on schools to accommodate displaced children is increasing because of limited number of available teachers and premises, added Dujarric.

Further, OCHA underscored the urgent need for mine risk education as well and humanitarian demining as mines and other unexploded ordnance are increasingly resulting in loss of life.