UN agencies assess humanitarian impact of dam destruction in Ukraine

Representatives from the United Nations (UN) humanitarian office, along with five UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), visited Kherson to evaluate the consequences of the Kakhovka Dam's destruction and coordinate a joint humanitarian response with local authorities and organizations, according to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

Ekleme: 08.06.2023 08:06:24 / Güncelleme: 08.06.2023 08:06:24 / English News
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Dujarric expressed concerns about the worsening situation in the hours ahead as water levels continue to rise, resulting in more villages and towns being flooded. The increasing impact of the disaster is expected to hamper people's access to essential services and pose significant health risks.

Yesterday, approximately 1,500 individuals evacuated their flooded homes, as reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and further evacuations took place today. Most of the affected population sought refuge in Mykolaiv city, located in close proximity to their homes.

“Access to water remains one of our main concerns.  Thousands of people depend on the Kakhovka Reservoir for drinking water, and the levels are dropping very rapidly,” he said.

Dujarric also underlined that flooding raises concerns about water source contamination, posing further health risks.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned of potential repercussions on food security due to the dam's destruction. The flooding has inundated thousands of hectares of agricultural land, destroying recently planted crops. Authorities have reported extensive damage to irrigation systems in the Dnipro, Kherson, and Zaporizhizia regions.

The situation in Ukraine remains critical, with humanitarian agencies and local authorities working together to mitigate the ongoing challenges posed by the dam's destruction and the resulting impact on water supply, health risks, and food security. (ILKHA)