On June 6th, the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, located about 70 km east of Kherson, was severely damaged by explosions, leading to widespread flooding and triggering a massive humanitarian and environmental crisis. This devastating event has forced more than 2,500 people from their homes and gravely impacted access to basic services, including food and water.

More than 25,000 houses have been severely damaged on both sides of the frontline and around 16,000 people are estimated to be directly affected by flooding on the Ukrainian-controlled northern bank of the Dnipro River.

One month on, Oxfam’s priority is still to ensure the safety of the affected communities. We are working in close collaboration with our local partners, who are at the forefront of the response efforts, offering our resources and technical expertise to effectively address the immediate needs and deliver vital humanitarian assistance.

700,000 people in need of clean water

The Kakhovka Reservoir, formed by the Kakhovka Dam and that stretches 240 kilometres across Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro and Kherson regions, is one of the largest water sources in the country’s south. Approximately 700,000 people relied either wholly or partially on the reservoir for their water and livelihood needs. Although mass distribution of bottled water and water trucking have begun in many places, the situation remains critical.

Many of the cities, towns and villages in the area now have no functional water supply, with some others having additional local supplies which can provide water for at most a few weeks. Contamination of water is a major concern throughout the region, with an increased risk of disease. The dam collapse has also increased danger from landmines and explosive devices previously placed on both banks of the Dnipro River that may have become dislodged by the flood.