Ukraine flood disaster

On the morning of 6 June, the Kakhovka Dam was breached, resulting in extensive flooding across the surrounding region, with at least 80 towns and villages affected.

Homes have been destroyed and critical infrastructure, like roads and bridges, have been washed away. 

The needs on the ground are huge. More than 2,000 people have been evacuated, while hundreds of thousands now lack access to clean drinking water. 

UNHCR is assessing the damage, however access is extremely challenging due to the flooding and serious risk of floating landmines. Despite these risks, UNHCR is reaching families in some of the worst-affected areas with urgent supplies such as blankets and hygiene kits. 

46-year-old Svitlana was evacuated to Mykolaiv from Kherson after the first alerts of possible flooding following the breach of the Kakhovka Dam.

She found accommodation in a shelter supported by a UNHCR partner organisation. While Svitlana feels safe in Mykolaiv she worries about her mother, whose apartment was flooded when the dam was breached.

"My mother has diabetes, and she has low mobility. Every day, I call her and try to persuade her to leave Kherson, but she doesn't want to go.” she said.

More than 15 months since the war began, families in Ukraine are still in need of urgent support.

Andrii and his family fled to Poland in March last year following an explosion near their home in Borodyanka, Kyiv region.

Once Kyiv was taken back by Ukrainian forces, Andrii immediately went home.  His family home was heavily damaged but still standing, with signs that Russian soldiers had lived there. 

“The home was extremely dirty, with remains of food and drinks everywhere, empty boxes of alcohol in our kitchen. The soldiers made fires in our yard. I was shocked to see they were burning photos of my family - a half-burned image of my daughter was in the ashes,” Andrii said. 

Andrii spent months clearing debris and preparing the house for his family’s return. The family received support from UNHCR to repair the windows, doors and roofing, making it safe for them to live in again.  

Andrii said he hopes the war ends so his ten-year-old daughter can grow up in peaceful country. 

“When she plays the piano, my eyes get full of tears, and I hide somewhere in the house, so they don’t see me cry,” says Andrii. “The sound of her playing gives me hope that the war will end, and my daughter will be able to grow up in a peaceful country.”

With your support, UNHCR will remain on the ground delivering life-saving assistance for as long as needed.

Thank you for continuing to support the people of Ukraine. 

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