UN: Approximately 700,000 Ukrainians left without drinking water due to the explosion of the Kakhovka HPP

UN Undersecretary-General Martin Griffiths stated that around 700,000 people are in need of drinking water as a result of the dam explosion at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. He also warned that the devastating floods in one of the world's key breadbaskets will likely lead to a decrease in grain exports, increased food prices worldwide, and food shortages for millions of people in need, according to the Associated Press.

Griffiths noted that the UN has already assisted over 30,000 people in the affected areas under Ukrainian control. However, Russia has still not granted the UN access to the occupied territories to aid those affected by the flood. Griffiths said that he met with Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, on Wednesday to request Russian authorities to "grant access for our teams in Ukraine to cross the front line, to provide assistance, to provide support to Ukrainians in these areas."

Responding to emergencies is crucial for saving lives, Griffiths emphasized, "but behind it, you have a huge problem of lack of proper drinking water for these 700,000 people," both in the Ukrainian-controlled territory and the Russian-occupied part of the Kherson region.

Griffiths highlighted that the explosion of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant has caused a cascade of problems, including the flooding of vital agricultural lands, the threatening issue of supplying cooling water to the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, and the contamination of water by mines and munitions.

Griffiths also stated that the United Nations will make a special appeal for additional funds to address the problems arising from the dam breach in Ukraine. This is likely to happen in a few weeks, as the UN needs to assess the economic consequences, health impacts, and environmental effects before launching a fundraising campaign for Ukraine.

Recall that the dam explosion at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant was carried out by the occupation forces of the Russian Federation at approximately 2:50 am on June 6, 2023. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, as of midday on June 11, 46 settlements were practically flooded in the Kherson region, including 32 (3,821 houses) on Ukrainian-controlled territory and 14 on temporarily occupied territory. A total of 2,718 people were evacuated, including 190 children. Five people have died, and 35 individuals, including 7 children, are considered missing. In the Mykolaiv region, 31 settlements have been flooded. A total of 982 individuals have been evacuated, including 167 children. One person has died.