WIREDGOV

More than 6 weeks of conflict in Ukraine have devastated both water and electricity networks, leaving 1.4 million people without access to piped water in eastern Ukraine and a further 4.6 million people across the country at risk of losing water supply.

At least 20 separate incidents of damage to water infrastructure have been recorded in eastern Ukraine alone. The intensification of fighting in the east and the widespread use of explosive weapons in populated areas threatens to further decimate the water system, which is now at risk of complete collapse, following 8 years of low-grade conflict on an already ailing network.

“Water is essential for life and a right for everyone,” said Osnat Lubrani, UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine. “The health risks, particularly for children and the elderly, caused by water stoppages are severe, as people are forced to use dirty water sources, resulting in diarrhoea and other deadly infectious diseases,” added Lubrani.

Power cuts have stopped water pumps, and explosion-related damage to pipelines are disrupting the flow of water.

In Mariupol, thousands of people are using dirty sources as they seek any water they can find. Major cities across Donetsk and Luhansk regions are also cut off from water supplies and an additional 340,000 people will lose water supply if a reservoir in Horlivka runs dry.

Sumy and Chernihiv cities experienced serious water stoppages in early March and Kharkiv’s system is also seriously affected. Restoring water access and providing emergency supplies to these cities and other areas of intense fighting is urgent.

Since the start of the conflict, the WASH Cluster has confirmed that four water technicians have been injured in Chernihiv and one in Kharkiv, adding to at least 35 water engineers who have been killed or injured in Donetsk and Luhansk regions since 2014.

One year ago, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2573, recalling the international humanitarian law (IHL) obligations of all parties to armed conflicts to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including water facilities. However, civilian infrastructure, including water, sanitation and electricity networks have been destroyed during the war in Ukraine, severely hampering people’s access to vital services.

“It is imperative that the parties to the conflict respect their IHL obligations and take constant care to spare civilian infrastructure. In cases where water facilities suffer damage, water technicians must be afforded urgent and safe passage to repair the network,” said Osnat Lubrani.

The WASH cluster urges all parties to avoid the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and remove military hardware and personnel from positions close to civilian infrastructure.

“Young children who live in conflict zones are 20 times more likely to die from diarrhoeal diseases linked to unsafe water than from direct violence, as a result of war, said UNICEF Ukraine Representative, Murat Sahin. “Their access to water, wherever they are, must not be jeopardised as a result of war – for children, it is a matter of life and death,” added Sahin.

The WASH Cluster, led by UNICEF, have:

• Provided generators and equipment to repair damaged infrastructure to power water pumps and operationalize the water system in Sumy and Chernihiv.
• Procured 57.4 tons of liquefied chlorine for the Kharkiv Vodokanal water system, which will purify water for a three-week period and 4.5 tons of liquified chlorine gas to operate the Uzhgorod Vodokanal. This will ensure safe water for 1.4 million people in Kharkiv and 140,000 in Uzhgorod, which have seen an influx of displaced persons.
• Provided safe drinking supplies through water trucking or bottled water to over 184,500 people in locations where access to safe water has been severely compromised, including parts of Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Sumy and Zakarpattia oblasts.

Notes to editors: 

ABOUT the WASH Cluster

The Global Water Sanitation and Hygiene Cluster, or Global WASH Cluster (GWC) is a partnership grouping 32 partners and aiming at improving the coordination and the humanitarian response in the WASH Sector. Find out more about the Wash Cluster’s work in Ukraine here

Find out more about UNICEF’s work in Ukraine here: www.unicef.org/ukraineconflict

Children in Ukraine need peace now, with 7.5 million children at risk from the conflict in Ukraine. UNICEF is working around the clock in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to keep children safe, from providing clean water, blankets and first aid kits to psychosocial support to children traumatised by war and child protection services for those who are most vulnerable. People in the UK can help fund this vital work by donating to UNICEF UK’s appeal: unicef.uk/ukrainedonate.

For more information, please contact:

Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, media@unicef.org.uk 

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.

United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).

For more information visit unicef.org.uk.