Donetsk, Dec 15 – DAN. The DPR Head Alexander Zakharchenko said that the humanitarian program for reunification of Donbass people shall be extended into 2018.

"The humanitarian program will continue in 2018," he said.

He pointed out the issues people face when travelling from the Donetsk region to the DPR.

"The humanitarian program has attracted attention. Fortunately, a lot of people in need of help have reached out to us, but not (to the extent) we'd appreciate, because on that territory people are intimidated, as every trip here arouses interest of the Ukrainian police."

Without such pressure, the results would have been better, Zakharchenko added.

The program structure is subject to change, he said, depending on the needs of people living in Kiev-controlled Donetsk region.

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