The United Kingdom has pledged £16 million in humanitarian aid to help Ukraine recover from severe flooding caused by the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam.
Thousands of individuals directly impacted by flooding and ongoing attacks in the Kherson area.
The flooding has had a direct impact on 32,000 people, with thousands more affected in the Kherson area, where ongoing Russian attacks have worsened the situation.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) will provide funding to aid organizations to support their response in the affected areas.
Allocation breakdown and resources for immediate relief efforts.
The aid package includes £10 million to the Red Cross Movement, £5 million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and £1 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Additionally, the FCDO will send boats, community water filters, water pumps, and waders to Ukraine to bolster rescue operations and address the immediate impact of the flooding.
Additional funding builds upon existing support and aids in evacuation efforts.
The £16 million in aid builds upon the UK’s existing support of £220 million, which has already facilitated the evacuation of affected civilians through organizations like the Ukraine Red Cross.
UK-led Partnership Fund supports specialized rescue operations.
The UK-led Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine has provided specialized rescue boats, search and rescue equipment, and trauma medicine to Kherson in collaboration with the State Emergency Services.
Funding addresses immediate and long-term consequences.
The allocated funding of £16 million acknowledges the growing needs across Ukraine, particularly in areas affected by the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam.
Aid organizations will receive support to provide rapid response equipment, shelter, essential supplies, and assistance to communities affected by the flooding, ongoing conflict, and displacement.
The funding will also address long-term consequences such as waterborne infectious diseases, livelihood losses, and risks from landmines resulting from the flooding.
Commitment breakdown and timeline for resources
The UK’s commitment includes £10 million for the Red Cross Movement, £5 million for OCHA, and £1 million for IOM.
Additionally, the UK will supply rescue boats, community water filters, water pumps, and waders to assist the State Emergency Services of Ukraine. The equipment is expected to arrive in Ukraine by next week.
Urgency as water levels rise and flooding spreads
As water levels continue to rise in Kherson and flooding spreads to other towns along the Dnipro River, the UK has swiftly increased its support to Ukraine.
The destruction of the dam is expected to cause weeks of flooding, leaving many individuals in desperate need of basic necessities like food, water, and supplies.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Secretary highlights the severity of the situation
Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Secretary James Cleverly acknowledged the severity of the situation, emphasizing that over 32,000 people in Kherson and the surrounding area have been significantly impacted by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam.
Cleverly praised the UK’s leading role in providing support and highlighted the crucial role of UK funding in assisting Ukrainian services and aid organizations in evacuating people and providing necessary aid.
Comprehensive UK support for Ukraine’s recovery
This aid package is part of the UK’s comprehensive support for Ukraine, totaling £1.5 billion in economic and humanitarian assistance. The funding has enabled the delivery of more than 11 million medical items, as well as food supplies, ambulances, and shelter kits.
Ongoing commitment and upcoming conference to aid Ukraine’s recovery
The UK’s Foreign Secretary recently visited Ukraine to demonstrate the country’s unwavering support for its recovery.
Discussions were held with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv to explore how the UK can continue to assist Ukraine in countering Russia’s aggression.
Later this month, the UK will host the Ukraine Recovery Conference, where government officials and industry leaders will come together to develop a comprehensive multi-sector plan to aid Ukraine’s recovery from Russia’s illegal invasion.
Sources: THX News, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office & The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP.
