From war to floods: Displaced Ukrainians shocked by Kakhovka dam disaster

MADRID, 18 June. (By Oleksanda Shapkina, World Vision Communications Manager) -

On June 6, 2023, Ukrainians woke up to terrible news. In the early morning, the Kajovka hydroelectric power station, a huge reservoir located in the city of Nova Kajovka, which had been in operation for decades, was destroyed. According to reports, more than 45,000 people live in the city.

Soon after, massive floods occurred in the Kherson, Zaporizhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, affecting some 16,000 people, many of them children. Humanitarian organizations such as World Vision and its partner in the country Arms of Mercy (AoM) immediately traveled to the most affected regions to assess the situation and attend to the urgent needs of the victims.

Leading the rapid assessment team was Kostyantyn Kuchuryan, an AoM coordinator who has been with the organization since the start of the war. "I was deeply shocked by the devastation in the region. We were working in villages located between the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. We saw houses completely submerged in the waters. I couldn't believe what I was seeing."

The water level rose considerably after the destruction of the dam, reaching six meters in some areas. As a consequence, the affected towns were left without essential services such as electricity, water and food. What we saw there was a real disaster. When we reached this area several towns were under water. However, with each passing day the floods and destruction were greater. More than 36 villages were flooded in that region.

The tragedy has deeply affected the families living in these regions. Many of them continue to refuse to leave their homes. Some have chosen to move into previously abandoned houses or have stayed with neighbors from their communities.

The impact on boys and girls is also evident. Access to clean water has become difficult, and their lives face new challenges as they continue to endure the war. Local authorities in the Dnipropetrovsk region have expressed concern about water shortages faced by more than 160,000 people. It is a tremendous disaster for the local population after eighteen months of conflict. First they were under occupation for nine months and now this flood has destroyed houses and damaged their property and belongings.

From the humanitarian aid organizations we are providing help to the affected Ukrainians. During the visits we organize meetings with the families, trying to support and encourage them. Food and hygiene kits and drinking water are also distributed to disinfect accommodation and dishes.

"Our presence aims to change the atmosphere and bring some relief to people's lives, helping them to forget their pain and the consequences of the war. The situation is serious, but the resistance and gratitude of the people inspire us to continue providing We will continue our efforts to help rebuild lives and bring hope to those affected by this tragic disaster," said Kostyantyn Kuchuryan.

More than 16,000 people have been affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine. In the coming weeks, when the water starts to recede, people will urgently need hygiene kits, food and household appliances. There will be a great need to disinfect, rebuild and restore houses and public buildings. World Vision is working with UN agencies and partners such as AdM to meet the most urgent needs of the population.