This week, the leadership of the Ukrainian Red Cross visited Kherson and the flooded areas of the region affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, where they met with the representatives of the Kherson Regional Military Administration. During the meeting, they discussed the current priority tasks and the ones to address after the water recedes. Among other things, they discussed the prevention of outbreaks of infectious diseases and the strengthening of anti-epidemiological measures in the affected areas, including through broad public awareness of personal and food hygiene.
They also discussed the need to increase the availability of medical services in the region by expanding the coverage area of the Ukrainian Red Cross Mobile Health Units (teams of 5 people, including two general practitioners, a nurse, a driver and a psychologist, who travel in a specially equipped vehicle to the remotest settlements). Today, one of the Units is already operating in Kherson Oblast.
During the meeting, they talked about the response of the Ukrainian Red Cross and the contribution of volunteers to fighting the consequences of the flooding in Kherson Oblast, as well as further steps to support the region's population.
Thanks to the support of international partners and Ukrainian businesses, the volunteers of the Emergency Response Teams have already managed to:
- evacuate 239 people, most of whom have reduced mobility;
- deliver 57,000 liters of water and a water disinfection station that can produce 5-7 tons of water per day, which is being prepared for installation;
- Provide 5155 hygiene kits, 4,141 food kits and 1,367 sleeping kits, 402 blankets and 300 mattresses, 120 tarpaulins;
- distribute 480 packages of baby food and 1586 packages of diapers;
- provide 60 power banks and set up mobile charging stations;
- rescue 29 animals from water traps, and distribute 1,750 kilograms of pet food.
In addition, psychological support is being provided to the evacuated population and those who remain in the region, as well as information on the mine risks, which have increased dramatically after the flooding in the region and throughout the South.
Given the scale of the humanitarian disaster, the population needs help every day, and the Ukrainian Red Cross calls on the business community to mobilize resources to support the affected region. To contact the humanitarian organization's specialists, please email partners@redcross.org.ua or call +380 63 063 7713.
