- In recognition of growing needs
FCDO to provide £16 million to enable aid partners to help
civilians, including 32,000 people directly affected by flooding,
as well as at the frontlines and displaced communities.
- UK funding will assist aid
organisations with their response and includes £10 million to the
Red Cross Movement, £5 million to the United Nations Office
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and £1m
to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
- To bolster rescue efforts and
manage impact of ongoing flooding the FCDO is sending boats,
community water filters, water pumps and waders to Ukraine.
The UK has today set out an additional £16m in humanitarian
support as Ukraine deals with the aftermath of flooding caused by
the destruction of Nova Kakhova dam, which has affected 42,000
people in the Kherson area, and continuing Russian attacks.
This builds on our existing humanitarian support of £220 million
which is allowing partners, such as the Ukraine Red Cross, to
help evacuate civilians affected by the flooding.
Alongside this the UK-led Partnership Fund for a Resilient
Ukraine has already delivered two specialist rescue boats, search
and rescue equipment, and trauma medicine to Kherson to assist
the ongoing rescue operations by the State Emergency Services.
The additional £16 million is given in recognition of mounting
needs across Ukraine, including in the areas affected by the
destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam.
Funding will support aid organisations in the area who are
currently assisting people affected by the flooding with rapid
response equipment, shelter and essential supplies, as well as in
areas affected by fighting and communities who have been
displaced.
Beyond the immediate rescue efforts, this funding will help to
respond to the ongoing impacts from flooding, including
waterborne infectious diseases, loss of livelihoods and risks
from landmines.
The funding will consist of £10 million of support to the Red
Cross Movement, £5 million to OCHA and £1m to IOM.
The UK is also providing a package of rescue boats, community
water filters, water pumps and waders to help State Emergency
Services of Ukraine responders deal with the ongoing impact of
the flooding. Equipment is expected to start arriving in Ukraine
by next week.
Today’s announcement comes as water levels in Kherson continue to
rise, with flooding spreading to other towns along the Dnipro
River. The UK has moved quickly to bolster its support to Ukraine
as it deals with severe flooding from the dam, which is expected
to last for weeks and leave many in need of food, water and basic
supplies.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary said:
“Flooding from the destruction of Kakhovka dam is having an
untold impact on over 32,000 people living in Kherson, and
thousands more in the surrounding area.
“The UK is leading the way in providing support to those
desperately in need. Our funding is playing a vital role in
helping Ukrainian services and aid organisations evacuate people
and get help to those in need.
We will continue to stand by Ukraine in dealing with this
terrible incident.”
This aid package is part of the UK’s total support for Ukraine
which so far totals £1.5billion in economic and humanitarian
support, which has paid for the delivery of more than 11 million
medical items as well as food supplies, ambulances, shelter kits.
Earlier this week the Foreign Secretary visited Ukraine to
highlight the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine and its
recovery. During his time there he met President Zelenskyy in
Kyiv and discussed how best the UK will continue to support
Ukraine against Russia’s aggression.
The UK is also set to host the Ukraine Recovery Conference later
this month, which will bring together governments and industry
leaders to develop a concerted multi-sector plan to help Ukraine
to recover from Russia’s illegal invasion.
NOTES TO EDITORS
- The latest donation, £16 million and in-kind assistance, is
in addition to the UK’s existing £220 million programme of
humanitarian assistance (full details UK government's
humanitarian response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - GOV.UK
(www.gov.uk)).
- This new funding is being given in recognition of enduring
needs across Ukraine, particularly people living close to the
frontline and displaced communities, but also in recognition of
mounting needs given flooding in Kherson following the
destruction of the dam.
- Funding is going to trusted UN and Red Cross partners, all of
whom are working on the flood response operations now in support
of the Government of Ukraine.
- Donations of equipment, such as boats, community water
filters, and water pumps respond to the State Emergency Service
for Ukraine’s stated priority needs. They assess flooding will
last for weeks. Some equipment is already in transit and will
start arriving early next week. Six water filters already in
transit can filter 120 litres per hour or 2,880 litres each over
24 hours.
