A/HRC/45/CRP.8A/HRC/45/CRP.8 “The Roma community is perplexed, they don't know what is happening, or what’s coming next, because the markets on which they depend so much are closed.” The leader of a non-governmental organization in Sumy, referring to the period when markets were closed from 13 March to 10 May. 100. Prior to the pandemic, Roma communities in Ukraine faced endemic discrimination and social exclusion, including lack of access to adequate healthcare, water and sanitation, food security and education. Their human rights situation further deteriorated following the enforcement of anti-pandemic measures.82 Many Roma individuals employed in the informal sector, markets and seasonal work, both in Ukraine and abroad, lost their livelihood. The lack of access to social security and loss of income caused by quarantine measures may lead to further marginalization and stigmatization of Roma, especially those without personal identification documents who do not have access to formal employment, pensions, social benefits and healthcare. Roma women and girls was additionally marginalized owing to intersectional discrimination.83 101. Thousands of Roma families live in informal settlements, which often lack access to on-site water and sanitation, and are over-crowded, increasing the risk of COVID-19. Past attacks and threats against Roma settlements across the country have left residents in fear of being evicted. They have also faced negative attitudes and hostility from members of local communities. For example, on 30 April 2020, unknown perpetrators attacked the tent of one Roma family used as shelter in Kyiv. The incident is being investigated by the police with initial classification as a hate crime. C. Impact of COVID-19 on older persons and persons with disabilities in institutions 102. Older persons and persons with disabilities in long-term care facilities are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, as their security and well-being depend on those who run and support these facilities, and it is difficult for carers and residents to practice social distancing. OHCHR is particularly concerned about reports of the spread of COVID-19 in a number of public and private facilities for older persons and persons with disabilities, resulting in 1385 confirmed COVID-19 cases among clients and staff in public facilities, including 13 deaths and 248 ongoing infections, as of 28 August 2020, according to the Ministry of Social Policy’s data.84 OHCHR notes that the Government does not collect any disaggregated data on COVID-19 infections in public facilities, nor any data at all in private facilities. OHCHR is also concerned about the lack of access to medical care for older persons with non-COVID19-related health issues. Finally OHCHR notes the lack of additional assistance (financial or otherwise) for staff who stay in care facilities for extended periods to decrease residents and staff members’ families’ potential exposure to COVID-19.85 Numerous facilities also reported shortages of PPE and sanitiser, and a lack of COVID-19 tests. 82 83 84 85 For more details, see HRMMU Briefing Note on the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Roma communities in Ukraine, Kyiv, 15 May 2020, available at www.un.org.ua/images/documents/4932/BN%20C19%20Roma%20ENG.pdf. See UN Women, Rapid gender assessment of the situation and needs of women in the context of COVID-19 in Ukraine, May 2020, p. 58. According to the data provided by the Ministry to HRMMU. This includes data from after the reporting period. Between 11 April and 1 May 2020, HRMMU conducted 30 interviews with staff working in residential facilities for older persons and people with disabilities, as well as in charities and NGOs working with older persons. In July 2020, HRMMU also conducted an online questionnaire of persons who represent organizations uniting persons with disabilities or working with them, including long term care institutions, to which 119 responses were received. 25