The destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam has caused Ukraine nearly $14 billion in damages. These calculations have exacerbated the already catastrophic consequences of Russia's full-scale invasion, states the report presented by the Ukrainian government and the United Nations.
"The initial estimate of the total recovery and reconstruction needs is $5.04 billion, and this figure is expected to grow as more detailed assessments are made. In the short term, $1.82 billion is needed for recovery activities in 2023/2024," the report says.
These expert findings reveal the scale of the 6 June, 2023, tragedy that caused economic and environmental chaos in areas downstream of the Kakhovka Dam and hydroelectric power plant, as well as in upstream areas that lost access to water supplies.
"The breach of the Kakhovka dam caused enormous damage, flooding 620sq.km. of territory in four regions - Kherson, Mykolayiv, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhya - directly affecting 100,000 people. There was significant damage to housing, infrastructure, the environment and cultural sites such as historic buildings, museums and places of worship," the UN added.
In addition, power supply, drinking water supply, irrigation of agricultural land and river transport in southern Ukraine have been disrupted.
In total, the damage caused by the Kakhovka dam exceeds $11 billion, with the long-term environmental impact being the biggest concern. Direct damage to infrastructure and assets was greatest in the energy and housing sectors.
The report estimates total recovery and rehabilitation needs at 5.04 billion dollars, of which 1.82 billion dollars will be needed soon.
The post-disaster needs assessment will be further refined as part of the next round of Rapid Damage and Recovery Needs Assessment (RDNA) conducted by the Government of Ukraine, the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Union.
Residents of Kherson Region who lost their crops as a result of the Russians' explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant have already received over 7 million hryvnas in compensation.