UKRAINE 2019 UNHCR PARTICIPATRY ASSESSMENT DID YOU KNOW The Border Guards at the EECP accepts certain vulnerable categories to be “fast tracked” across the EECP. These include vulnerable persons, some eligible persons (e.g., persons with disabilities, persons over the age of seventy, and pregnant women). People say they feel insecure and helpless while crossing the contact line. They fear being detained and interrogated or that their belongings would be taken from them. They fear shelling and sniper fire while crossing. Men raised concerns of being treated in an undignified manner. People said they tried to avoid saying a spare word so as not to endanger themselves and their families. Some complained at bribery and extortion while crossing. Many participants said they prefer paying some money to cross faster as this lessens the security risks at the EECPs. “When I cross a check point I try not to speak unless I am asked. I try to be very careful with every word I say and I make sure I speak Ukrainian – they like it and let you cross. One can never know when he can be detained and interrogated. On one occasion I was detained for several hours at the EECP and interrogated. It was never explained to me why I was detained.” Conflict-affected man in Svitlodarsk Those who cross are unable to transport their furniture and household appliances from NGCA to GCA as the GCA side does not permit the entry of these items. Furthermore, persons without identity documents cannot cross the EECPs. In addition, undocumented people, especially men, face difficulties in crossing internal check-points. People are able to cross internal checkpoints with expired identity documents; however, people who lack any documents must obtain an “identity certificate” from the head of the Civil Military Administration. In order to avoid trouble, these persons prefer not to leave their settlement at all. According to some participants, before going to the nearby settlements they agree with local police that they will cross a particular internal checkpoint so that local police can back them up and confirm their identity in case of inspection by military. Their movement depends on the discretion of military personnel. There are limited transportation opportunities between Sviatohirsk and other towns. Bus fares are expensive and there are no discounts for older persons or persons with disabilities. In many localities along the contact line, public transportation is very limited or non-existent. The Chermalyk to Mariupol line is the only connection covered by public transportation available for the residents of the settlement of Chermalyk. Therefore, to reach public services based in Volnovakha, locals must rent a taxi or switch to a bus in the city of Mariupol. This detour makes it difficult for people to travel back and forth before dark, when shelling intensifies. The security situation also impacts in the cost of transportation. 13