Donetsk, Oct 27 – DAN. Over 12,000 Donbass residents have received aid under the humanitarian program launched by the DPR, said the Republic's top negotiator at the Minsk talks Denis Pushilin.

"The humanitarian program for reunification of Donbass people has been applied for half a year, it is an important project aimed to support our compatriots living beyond the contact line, to prevent a cultural and historical break up. As of today, 12,000 people have received aid under the program," he said.

Pushilin emphasized that population of the Kiev-controlled territories is in a great need of help, but local authorities fail to assist them. Literally, they 'deprive those who use our humanitarian program of essentials', he added.

'Ukraine does not shy away from anything in attempts to prevent citizens from participating in the humanitarian program. They intimidate population, resort to administrative restrictions."

On February 17 DPR and LPR Heads approved the humanitarian aid program aimed to assist people living in Kiev-controlled territories. The main objective is to provide financial aid and educational assistance to vulnerable social groups. On February 21 the program was officially presented to people, hotlines and websites associated with the program were launched.*ot