Human Lives Human Rights: The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has stated that the Kakhovka dam’s destruction has led to widespread devastation and human suffering, particularly amongst the 16,000 individuals at immediate risk of flooding.
The destruction of the dam in Ukraine has also had a significant impact on the region’s water supply, sanitation systems, and public health services. Both Ukraine and Russia are blaming each other for the disaster.
Up to 700,000 people downstream rely on the Kakhovka Reservoir formed by the dam for their water supply.
The WHO emergency officer, Teresa Zakaria, has confirmed the evacuation of thousands of people, whilst those left behind will face challenges in accessing clean water, food, and agricultural resources.
The WHO offered to provide support to civilians affected by conflict in the area, provided that conflicting parties grant access to those areas.
