KRYVYI RIH, Ukraine, 3 April 2024 – In response to the ongoing water crisis in the Kryvyi Rih District of Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine has delivered 15 modern water trucks, each with a capacity of 10 cubic meters, to support residents in accessing clean and safe drinking water.

The UNDP in Ukraine also delivered to city authorities 60 mobile water treatment facilities to remove contaminants from water before it is delivered to consumers.

The delivery of the water trucks will enable the transportation to district communities of such purified water from additional and emergency water sources, rather than just fixed water-purifying stations, ensuring that more residents have access to safe drinking water. 

Speaking at the ceremony marking the handover of the trucks in Kryvyi Rih, UNDP in Ukraine Resident Representative Jaco Cilliers said the UN agency was committed to supporting the residents of the district during this challenging time.

“These modern water trucks will provide a lifeline to communities facing water shortages, ensuring access to safe and clean drinking water,” Mr. Cilliers said. “UNDP stands ready to continue our efforts to address the urgent humanitarian needs in Ukraine and contribute to building resilience in the face of adversity.” 

Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, said that by working together with local authorities and international partners the European Union was addressing the region’s immediate water supply challenges and pave the way for sustainable recovery efforts.

“By delivering water trucks and water treatment facilities to Kryvyi Rih we are providing tangible support to those in need and contribute to the restoration of essential services, while ensuring that no one is left behind,” Mr. Schleuning said.

Yevhen Sytnychenko, the head of the Kryvyi Rih District Administration, emphasized the scale of the ecological disaster, the need to take action to eliminate its consequences, and the usefulness of the equipment provided. 

“It was extremely important and necessary to find ways to effectively assist the communities affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station," Mr. Sytnychenko said. "The water trucks and water treatment facilities that were provided to the communities of Kryvyi Rih District are exactly what is needed to significantly help in addressing the aftermath of the ecological disaster.” With these measures in place, further efforts are planned to alleviate the water crisis and improve the resilience of communities in the face of ongoing challenges to critical infrastructure, the officials said. Additional support will include more water trucks for communities in Dnipropetrovsk and Kherson oblasts, along with the installation of a significant number of water filtering stations.

The aftermath of the Kakhovka Dam disaster also led to a substantial decrease in generating capacity at the Kryvyi Rih Thermal Power Plant (TPP), further compounding the challenges faced by residents. The disaster, as highlighted in the Ukrainian government and United Nations Post-Disaster Needs Assessment report, resulted in the loss of additional water supply to the cooling reservoir at the TPP, leading to a substantial decrease of 600 MW in its generating capacity.

Background

Historically, the Kakhovka Reservoir was a crucial source of both drinking water and energy for the residents of Kryvyi Rih, with the city relying on it for 70 percent of its water supply. However, following the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydro Power Plant in June 2023, which resulted in the draining of the reservoir, the district faced a severe shortage of centralized water supply, exacerbated by further Russian attacks on hydro-technical structures.

To mitigate the immediate impacts, main water pumps were installed to extract water from the Inhulets River. However, the water from this source requires thorough purification due to the presence of chlorides, sulfates, and other substances that pose risks to human health.

Media enquiries

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org