The destruction of the Kakhovka dam inflicted almost US$14 billion in loss and damage on Ukraine, compounding the already disastrous impacts of Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to a new report released by the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations. The initial estimate for total recovery and reconstruction needs is $5.04 billion, and this figure is expected to grow as more detailed assessments are carried out. In the short term, $1.82 billion is required for recovery efforts in the 2023/2024 period.

The new Post Disaster Needs Assessment lays bare the scale of the 6 June 2023 tragedy, which wreaked economic and environmental havoc in areas downstream from the Kakhovka dam and hydropower plant on the Dnipro River, as well as upstream areas losing access to water supply.

The Kakhovka dam breach caused massive damage, submerging 620 square kilometres of territory in four oblasts—Kherson, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia—impacting 100,000 residents directly. It severely damaged housing, infrastructure, the environment, and cultural sites such as historic buildings, museums, and places of worship.

In addition, it disrupted energy supplies, drinking water, agricultural irrigation, and river transport in southern Ukraine.

According to this comprehensive report, direct damage to infrastructure and assets amounted to US$2.79 billion, while losses exceeded US$11 billion, with the lasting environmental impact being the biggest concern. The direct damage to infrastructure and assets was highest in the energy and housing sectors.

The report estimates that total recovery and reconstruction needs are US$5.04 billion, of which US$1.82 billion will be required in the immediate- to short-term.

This assessment will undergo further refinement during the forthcoming round of the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment carried out by the Government of Ukraine, the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Union.

Source - https://ukraine.un.org