The collapse of Ukraine’s Kakhovka dam in June had a devastating impact on the lives of thousands of Ukrainians. The resulting floods destroyed homes, farmland, and infrastructure, leaving many without drinking water. Despite the ongoing water shortages and significant challenges, Ukrainians are determined to rebuild their lives and communities.
One of the affected villagers, Svitlana Kridiner, shares her experience of the dam collapse. She recalls the moments leading up to the flooding and the efforts she and her husband made to save their livestock and possessions. Unfortunately, most of their belongings were lost, and their farm suffered extensive damage. The village of Afanasiivka, where Svitlana resides, is also located near the front line, making the recovery process even more challenging due to the presence of ammunition.
The Ukraine government is offering compensation for the flood damage, but Svitlana believes the amount offered is insufficient. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic and mentions the possibility of taking out a loan or finding alternative ways to rebuild. Her determination echoes the sentiment shared by another farmer, Vadym Sheremet, who also experienced significant loss and devastation.
Vadym’s village, Pavlo-Marianivka, had previously been under Russian occupation, leading to the destruction of his crops. The dam collapse further compounded his struggles, but Vadym remains resilient. Despite the numerous setbacks, he is currently rebuilding his home and preparing his fields for the upcoming season. With the support of volunteers and aid groups, Vadym aims to provide a new water supply to his community and ensure everyone’s wellbeing.
The impact of the dam explosion is described as one of the biggest human-caused disasters of our time. It has rendered more than one million hectares of land unusable for the next three to five years due to the lack of water supply. The estimated damage caused by the breach amounts to $2 billion, excluding the cost of rebuilding the dam. The affected area is predominantly in Russian-occupied territory, where flooding was more severe due to the lower bank on that side of the river.
To mitigate the water shortage, people have resorted to digging new wells and laying water supply lines with assistance from authorities and aid groups. Despite the challenges, Ukrainians like Vadym remain resilient and hopeful for a better future. Unfortunately, the difficulties extend beyond the dam collapse itself, as the country has become heavily mined since Russia’s invasion. Dislodged mines from the dam disaster exacerbate the existing problem of landmines in Ukraine.
The responsibility for the dam’s destruction remains a point of contention between Russia and Ukraine. While the Norwegian agency’s analysis suggests an explosion occurred concurrently with the dam collapse, experts from Global Rights Compliance, an international human rights law firm, believe Russia was likely behind the attack. The situation further highlights the need for accountability and international support in addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Despite the immense loss and tragedy caused by the dam collapse, Ukrainians like Vadym remain determined to rebuild their lives. Vadym’s optimism reflects the resilience and strength of the Ukrainian people, who deserve to live in a peaceful and flourishing Ukraine. The road to recovery is long and arduous, but with the support of their communities and the international community, Ukrainians are confident that they will overcome this tragedy and emerge stronger than ever before.
