Nova Kakhovka Dam: ICRC responds with water and health assistance

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has teams on the ground in Kherson and Novovoronsovka today. Our immediate focus is to make sure that people in Kherson and surrounding areas have clean drinking water. We are shipping equipment such as pipes, water tanks, pumps and repair kits to Kherson and the affected areas, as well as essential food and medical items. We are also assessing needs in local hospitals and a team of health, mental health and water specialists is on their way to Novovoronsovka.

We are also providing support to help communities navigate the renewed risk of landmines and unexploded ordnance created by the floodwaters. This includes technical support to emergency services, as well as markers to signal that an area is contaminated with mines.

We are ready to respond on both sides of the river, notably from operational bases in Odesa and Donetsk, and we have reiterated our offer of emergency support to the authorities for people affected by the floods, as well as longer-term help to improve access to clean water. We are continuing to offer our support and request to bring critical aid to areas where we do not currently have the necessary authorization to operate.

 Note to editors and producers:

1. Established in 1863, the ICRC operates worldwide, helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting the laws that protect victims of war. A neutral, independent and impartial organization, its mandate stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. it is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and works in more than 100 countries.
2. The ICRC has been working in Ukraine since 2014 with a team of over 600 staff members. Working closely with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and our Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners, we are increasing our response to the vast and growing humanitarian needs in Ukraine.
3. The ICRC has a permanent presence in Moscow since 1992, that supports ICRC’s mission to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence around the world.