Providing Ukrainian communities with drinking water
Published: Jun 27, 2024 Reading time: 4 minutes
Clean water is a vital human need. Russia's war on Ukraine has destroyed water supply networks and significantly worsened access to this vital resource. We are implementing a large-scale project to restore access to water in the communities most affected by the hostilities. Join us in the village of Polyhon in Mykolaiv Oblast, where we installed a water tank to provide residents with quality water.
People from everywhere are heading to the village centre with empty tanks. Some even take carts to get more clean water. The opening of the pump room is a truly remarkable event for the residents of Polyhon. Although there is a water supply in the village, the water is not suitable for drinking.
Russia’s advance on Mykolaiv in 2022 put Polyhon in the line of fire. The streets were shelled with heavy artillery, which destroyed houses. Two water towers were also damaged. But later, the village returned to normal. Now, about 3,000 people live here, including many IDPs. There were problems with water before, but they have become acute because of the war, says the village head, Iryna Naumovych. With the financial support of the American people through USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance we installed a pump in the village. And now the residents can get clean water for free.
The system is fully automatic. To collect water, you need to press a button. The pump is located in the centre of the village, making it convenient for all residents. Our specialists constantly monitor the water quality.
Mariia also came to the pump for free water. She is glad that we have provided this service as it reduces her financial burdens.
Summer in Polyhon is tough. Only one of the water towers damaged by shelling has been replaced. Therefore, there is not enough running water, and this is supplied to consumers on an hourly basis. However, we are working to address this problem.
In the Shevchenkivska community, we helped restore access to drinking water not only to the residents of the Polyhon but also to t Zelenyi Hai. In general, within the framework of DOVIRA project funded by the American people through USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, we will assist 35 settlements in eastern and southern Ukraine.
To ensure uniform assistance, we coordinate our work with other organisations working in the WASH sector and local authorities. Restoring water supply cannot be done overnight; it takes time and effort. And we are inspired by the gratitude of the people we have helped.
