German Red Cross sends aid to victims of Ukraine flood disaster

The German Red Cross (DRK) has sent disaster aid supplies to help the flood victims in southern Ukraine following the collapse of the Kakhovka dam on the front line Dnipro river.

On Friday morning, a lorry was loaded with 13.3 tons of relief supplies at an airport logistics centre in Berlin from where it set off for Ukraine, DRK spokeswoman Rebecca Winkels told dpa.

In the early hours of Tuesday, the dam on the Dnipro river in the Russian-occupied town of Nova Kakhovka was destroyed.

Since then, huge amounts of water had been pouring out of the reservoir in southern Ukraine. Numerous communities were flooded, including the regional capital Kherson.

The water level in the reservoir itself dropped dramatically. According to the authorities, the drinking water supply in the neighbouring regions is at risk.

The DRK’s relief supplies mainly included water and hygiene kits.

“During floods, there is an increased risk of falling ill from contaminated drinking water and a lack of sewage treatment,” said Winkels. That is why clean water is particularly important, she said.

The more than 1,000 hygiene kits were equipped with toothbrushes, shower gel, towels and toilet paper. “One hygiene kit will get a family of five through a month.”

Upon arrival in the flooded area, Winkels said the relief supplies would be handed over to the Ukrainian Red Cross, which would take care of distribution.

It was not yet clear whether further relief supplies would be sent to the crisis area or whether only financial support would be provided for the time being.

According to Winkels, however, it is clear that “we will help the people on the ground for as long as it is somehow necessary.”

(NAN)