[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 177 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1726-E1727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR UKRAINE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRENDAN F. BOYLE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, as a proud 
representative of a vibrant Ukrainian community in my district, I rise 
to echo the requests of an extremely important and time-sensitive 
meeting with the administration where the Ukrainian community pleaded 
for necessary humanitarian assistance for Ukraine.
   The global community continues to mourn the horrific terrorist 
attacks in Paris. These attacks remind us of the importance of our 
freedom and democracy in our turbulent world--these values must be 
actively safeguarded each day. Ukraine has been doing just that: 
fighting for its democracy and freedom each

[[Page E1727]]

day--denouncing Russian authoritarianism and combating Putin's 
aggression. Ukrainians are on the ground battling Russian separatists 
and thugs attempting to steal their democratic freedoms and undermine 
their self-governance.
   As a result, Ukraine has suffered 7,883 deaths and 17,610 wounded 
citizens, according to OCHA's latest report. Five million Ukrainians 
have been affected by Russia's aggression. It is shocking that this 
number is hardly discussed. One million Ukrainians have fled Ukraine 
since 2014, and 1.5 million Ukrainians are considered Internally 
Displaced People. And these numbers continue to rise.
   Ukraine needs more humanitarian assistance, and they need it now. 
Winter is fast approaching. Time is running out for winterization. 
Temperatures will plummet to 0 degrees and below. Eastern Ukraine has 
already experienced its first snowfall. We must act before it is too 
late.
   Today, many Ukrainians have little to no access to humanitarian 
assistance because very few humanitarian partners have received 
authorization from the de facto authorities in Donetsk and Luhansk to 
operate. Restrictions on freedom of movement have resulted in civilians 
waiting 24 hours before they can cross checkpoints across the ceasefire 
line which will be impossible to do in the winter. Additionally, a 
recent assessment has discovered that 20 percent of Internally 
Displaced People reside in destroyed or damaged homes. These homes need 
rebuilding materials now as temperatures continue to drop.
   These crucial humanitarian supplies need to be airlifted to Ukraine, 
and the United States should expand its efforts in helping to provide 
these supplies. It is becoming ever more critical by the day. Let's 
bring more humanitarian assistance to our partner in democratic 
freedom, Ukraine, immediately--before the death toll increases any 
higher.

                          ____________________