Dam Safety

UN says Kakhovka Dam destruction inflicted US$14 billion damage and loss on Ukraine

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UN says Kakhovka Dam destruction inflicted US$14 billion damage and loss on Ukraine
(photo courtesy Ukrhydroenergo)

The destruction of Kakhovka Dam inflicted almost US$14 billion in loss and damage on Ukraine, compounding the disastrous impacts of Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to a report released by the Government of Ukraine and United Nations.

The initial estimate for total recovery and reconstruction needs is $5.04 billion, and this 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 Post Disaster Needs Assessment lays bare the scale of the June 6, 2023, tragedy, which wreaked economic and environmental havoc in areas downstream from the Kakhovka Dam and 351 MW hydropower plant on the Dnipro River, as well as upstream areas losing access to water supply.

The dam breach caused massive damage, submerging 620 km2 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 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 Post Disaster Needs Assessment was prepared jointly by the United Nations and teams from the Government of Ukraine, led by the Ministry of the Economy, with inputs by the World Bank Group and European Union.

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