The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) proposes to create "security zones" around a number of water supply infrastructure facilities in Donbas. This was stated by the head of the ICRC delegation in Ukraine Alain Aeschlimann in an interview with ZN.UA.
"We propose to create security zones around the Verkhnyokalmius and Donetsk filtration stations, as well as their water pipelines, then in the areas of Zolote-Pervomaisk, the 3rd pumping station and Horlivka filter stations 1 and 2, and in the vicinity of Petrovske water intake, " said the head of the of the ICRC delegation.
According to him, the only way to avoid an environmental disaster in Donbas is to ensure the safe operation of pumping stations and the integrity of pipelines.
"After all, in Donetsk and Verkhnyokalmius filter stations there are huge reserves of chloride used for water purification, they are located in special cylinders. In case of direct hit during hostilities, the cylinders can explode, the chloride gets into the air and a toxic cloud is formed. It could зollute the land with precipitation, affecting any territories - depending on the direction of the wind, and since all this occurs in a densely populated area, hundreds of thousands of people can suffer, "said Aeschlimann.
The representative of the ICRC noted that the implementation of this initiative is hampered by a lack of trust between the parties of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
