Escalation of the combat actions in Donbas creates the threat for access to drinking water and support of proper sanitation for 3,2 million people, including 500,000 children as UNICEF reported.
Since the beginning of 2019 the water supply was temporary or completely stopped due to the combat actions for 3,2 million for 29 days on average.
“An escalation in fighting is threatening access to safe water and sanitation for 3.2 million people, including 500,000 children, as well as the safety of workers risking their lives to repair damaged infrastructure in Eastern Ukraine,” the organization reported.
It is noted that nine workers of the water supply system died in the result of the combat actions from the beginning of the conflict. Another 26 sustained injuries, trying to provide the uninterrupted water supply.
“Nine water workers have been killed and 26 injured since the conflict began, including three this year – all of these workers died while trying to keep water flowing for children and families living in the conflict-affected areas,” UNICEF commented.
Moreover, the risk of the outbreak of diseases appears. Particularly, “when access is cut or reduced, children and their families often have no choice but to rely on contaminated water and unsafe sanitation – this is particularly dangerous during the stifling summer temperatures we have seen recently”.
Earlier we reported that an accident occurred on Horlivka – Toretsk water pipeline; as a result, a huge amount of water leaked out. 42,813 people who reside in the city were left without water. On January 14, an emergency situation of a local level was declared in Toretsk.
