The U.S. will provide additional $23 million in humanitarian aid for residents in Donetsk and Luhansk regions hit by the conflict in eastern Ukraine, U.S. State Secretary John Kerry told a joint briefing that he attended together with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kyiv on Thursday.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, the total of U.S. humanitarian assistance since the start of the crisis exceeds $135 million.

"The funding announced today will support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international humanitarian organizations as they provide for the basic survival needs of thousands of vulnerable people. This contribution is available to help supply food, clothing, bedding, access to medical care and supplies, shelter materials, repair of key infrastructure, and more," reads a posting on the website of the diplomatic agency.

"In addition, U.S. assistance will help address humanitarian needs in parts of eastern Ukraine affected by the ongoing conflict. This assistance will be implemented through a number of international non-governmental organizations, and will support shelter, water and sanitation, and livelihoods programs, in areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions on both sides of the line of control," reads the statement.