Restoring access to drinking water in Ukraine

Widespread infrastructure destruction caused by the war and the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam has significantly hindered access to drinking water for residents of the Zaporizhzhia region. To help communities overcome this crisis, in the summer 2025, the Ukrainian Red Cross together with partners implemented a humanitarian project to support water purification and supply systems. The total value of the initiative amounted to approximately 5 million UAH.

As a result, more than 25,000 people — including rural residents, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and children — gained access to safe drinking water.

As part of the project, the following were provided to communities in Zaporizhzhia region:

• 16 water purification units of varying capacity (from 5,000 to 18,000 liters per day) — to meet the population’s needs;
• 16 reverse osmosis systems — for water purification in educational institutions for children;
• 58 storage and transportation tanks (ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 liters in volume);
• Sets of consumables (reagents, filters, carbon cartridges) — to ensure the stable operation of purification stations;
• Tools and equipment for emergency response (welding machines, electric pumps, motor pumps, etc.).

The project made it possible to restore or improve water supply in over 20 settlements, including in the Petro-Mykhailivska, Kushuhumska, Dolynska, Vilnianska, and other communities. The aid was focused on the educational institutions, resilience centers (“Points of Invincibility”), communities with a large number of IDPs, and areas without centralized water supply.

The Ukrainian Red Cross continues working to ensure that as many communities in Ukraine as possible have consistent access to safe drinking water — even under emergency conditions.