The explosion at Kakhovka HPP, which caused flooding of large areas in southern Ukraine. Humanitarian response to the situation -

The Kakhovka Reservoir held about 18 million cubic meters of water. After the dam was blown up, tons of water rushed downstream. As of June 7, the water level in the lower part of the Dnipro rose to 12 meters. At the same time, 26 settlements in the de-occupied part of Kherson region were flooded. More than 42,000 people live there. According to various estimates, 16,000 people living in the risk areas will need support through evacuation or on-site support, depending on the course of events over the next few days.

The water level is expected to peak today. Evacuations are ongoing. The situation is aggravated by the fact that the region is under constant shelling by Russian troops, which significantly complicates rescue and evacuation efforts.

Caritas-Spes Ukraine and Caritas-Spes Odesa have set up a task force to assess needs and coordinate the response. Evacuation assistance has been organized in Kherson. Aid stations have been set up in the cities of Odesa and Mykolaiv. Logistics routes for the delivery of drinking water have been established. As of today, 14.5 tons of drinking water have been delivered to Mykolaiv. Another 48 tons of humanitarian aid is on the way and will be delivered to Odesa and Mykolaiv on June 8 and 9. Shelters in different parts of Ukraine are ready to receive a new wave of IDPs. Caritas-Spes Odesa has also launched a financial support program for people affected by the flooding.

Our experts have recorded that today, in addition to the needs for drinking water and food, we see the need for water pumping and water disinfection. The experts are also currently studying the situation to prevent bacteriological hazards and are working on both immediate response and long-term assistance programs.

We thank all our partners who have been tirelessly helping us for the second year in a row. And we are going through new challenges with you by our side. We are also grateful to those donor organizations that are flexible in redirecting funds to the urgent challenges we face.

More on the flooding in southern Ukraine:

As of June 7, 2023, the following settlements have already been flooded (in whole or in part):

Tiahynka, Lvove, Odradokamianka, Ivanivka, Mykilske, Tokarivka, Poniativka, Bilozerka, Ostriv district of Kherson, Korabel district of Kherson, River Port district of Kherson, Hydropark and Naftohavan in Kherson, Prydniprovske, Sadove, Mykilske, Mykolaivka, Olhivka.

In addition, the temporarily occupied town of Oleshky on the left bank of Kherson region is almost completely under water. Almost all the houses in the town are flooded. The situation is also difficult in Hola Prystan.

Villages on the left-bank of Kherson region are completely flooded: Korsunka, Nova Kakhovka, Dnipriany, Krynky, Kozachi Laheri, Solontsi, Dachi. The villages of Rybalche and Stara Zburyivka on the left bank of Kherson region are also flooded.

The water level is expected to peak today. According to forecasts, up to 80 settlements may be fully or partially flooded. Many of them are temporarily occupied. Monitoring channels reported that the situation on the Left Bank is critical due to the lack of access to the occupied territories. The situation is critical in Korsuntsi, Krynky, Oleshky, Hola Prystan, Kardashyntsi, Solontsi, where most of the houses are under water, and people are not allowed to leave the villages.

Ukrhydroenergo said that the water spill peaked today. After that, the situation will begin to stabilize, and in 4-5 days the water will start to subside.

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy has claimed that, according to preliminary estimates, approximately 10,000 hectares of agricultural land on the right bank will be flooded as a result of the destruction of Kakhovka HPP. The Ministry noted that fields in southern Ukraine could turn into desert as early as next year.

And Energy Minister, Herman Halushchenko, stated that the explosion at Kakhovka HPP had violated the integrity of the entire hub. This means that there is a risk that hydropower, which was used to balance the country's energy system, will not be able to operate at the required capacity.

The scale of the man-made disaster is still difficult to assess. There is a threat to Crimea, which may be left without a source of fresh water. The uncontrolled decline in the reservoir level poses an additional threat to the Zaporizhzhia NPP, located on the shores of the Kakhovka Reservoir and occupied by Russian troops for a year and a half. Lack of water for coolers could lead to a nuclear accident. However, the Energoatom Company has stated that the situation is under control.

As a reminder, Russian troops have been controlling the Kakhovka HPP since the first day of the full-scale invasion. In the fall, Ukrainian authorities said that Russian troops had completely mined the structure. President Zelenskyy warned that Russia could blow up the dam to stop the advance of Ukrainian troops.

Caritas-Spes Ukraine response to the crisis

Meeting of evacuees at the railway station in Mykolaiv. June 6, 2023

Distribution of humanitarian aid to the evacuated victims. Vysoke village, evacuation point from the affected villages. June 7, 2023

Distribution of humanitarian aid to the evacuated victims under the HARPU project. Village of Virivka, evacuation point from the affected villages. June 7, 2023