Nova Kakhovka dam breach in Ukraine

Human Rights


© People in Need, 2023 (Photographer: Alberto Lores)

In the early hours of 6 June, an explosion destroyed a critical infrastructure in southern Ukraine – the Nova Kakhovka dam. The dam held back the amount of water equal to that of the Great Salt Lake in the USA. This vast amount of water was unleashed downstream along the Dnipro river, flooding dozens of settlements.

This disaster has put thousands of lives at risk, making the already dire conditions faced by Ukrainian people even worse. Entire villages have been swept away, the farmland has become unusable, and deadly mines are being washed up onto the shores.

The affected communities have been cut off water and electricity, leaving them completely dependent on humanitarian assistance.

The consequences of this disaster extend beyond human suffering, as there will likely be significant ecological devastation in years to come.

To address the crisis, the EU’s humanitarian partners are providing emergency assistance on the ground. They are delivering drinking water, ready-to-eat food, shelter equipment, and cash assistance.

In addition, the EU has mobilised material assistance via its Civil Protection Mechanism and rescEU strategic reserves. This assistance includes water pumps, tankers, boats, rescue vehicles, generators, and mobile water treatment stations.

The photos below offer a glimpse into the devastating aftermath of the Nova Kakhovka dam breach.

A man in a rubber boat in a flooded street.

In the early hours of June 6, an explosion destroyed a critical infrastructure in southern Ukraine – the Nova Kakhovka dam.

© People in Need, 2023 (Photographer: Alberto Lores)

Several people standing in a partly flooded street.

Following the destruction of the dam on Dnipro River, dozens of settlements were flooded, and people had to be evacuated.

© People in Need, 2023 (Photographer: Alberto Lores)

2 persons hugging eachother at the side of a flooded street. A dog drinking water from the street.

Entire villages in southern Ukraine are now flooded.

© People in Need, 2023 (Photographer: Alberto Lores)

People and a dog being evacuated in a rubber boat.

After the Nova Kakhovka dam destruction, the EU and its partners have been on the ground, delivering clean water, food, hygiene items and other lifesaving help to families in the flooded areas.

© People in Need, 2023 (Photographer: Alberto Lores)

2 rubber boats in a flooded part of the city.

The environmental consequences are devastating with hundreds of animals and plant species now under threat.

© People in Need, 2023 (Photographer: Alberto Lores)

A woman wading through the flooded street, a helping hand reaching out at the right side of the image.

This Nova Kakhovka disaster has put thousands of lives at risk, exacerbating the already dire conditions faced by Ukrainian people.

© People in Need, 2023 (Photographer: Alberto Lores)

Several people talking to eachother in a flooded street.

EU humanitarian partners are providing emergency assistance on the ground by delivering drinking water, ready-to-eat food, shelter equipment, and more.

© People in Need, 2023 (Photographer: Alberto Lores)

Story by Hanna-Kaisa Lepik, EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid.
Photos by Alberto Lores on behalf of People in Need.

Publication date: 27/06/2023



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