UNICEF helps to repair Ukrainian water supply system
As the war continues in Ukraine, families and children across the country are struggling without access to water
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The ongoing war in Ukraine has devastated critical infrastructure across the country, with many areas – including Balakliya, in Ukraine’s Kharkivska region – suffering without water for days and weeks at a time.
Up to 16,000 Balakliya locals like Alina, who has two young children, have had their lives turned upside down by disruption to safe water supplies.
"With the start of hostilities, the situation with water became tough – attacks caused interruptions in supply,” she says. “Sometimes, we were left without water for several weeks. To wash dishes or do laundry, people had to collect water from wherever possible, from their wells or rivers. They even collected rainwater.”
Now, with support from USAID, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is helping to repair damaged water infrastructure in Balakliya, installing two additional water supply lines. The timing is crucial – in summer, the load on the system is expected to increase, and one line will not be able to supply water to the entire city.
“Five kilometers of the line need to be replaced,” says Mykola Panasenko, acting Head of the Balakliya Vodokanal utility. “We have already found a contractor and, thanks to the support of UNICEF, we are starting the repair process. UNICEF quickly responded to our request and supported our efforts with contractors' work."
Ukraine has been experiencing a humanitarian crisis for over a year. Children are the most vulnerable to its consequences. In war-affected areas, children are deprived of access to basic needs, including drinking water and hygiene.
Growing up in a clean and safe environment is every child’s right. Access to clean water, basic toilets and good hygiene practices not only keeps children thriving, but also gives them a healthier start in life.
UNICEF helps to restore access to vital services for families with children affected by the war, repairing damaged infrastructure and providing emergency supplies.
Since the escalation of the fighting in 2022, UNICEF has been able to provide access to safe water for 4,649,974 people, including almost one million children. Moreover, as a part of an integrated response in close collaboration with national and local authorities and humanitarian actors 1,559,304 people were reached with critical hygiene and sanitary supplies.
