May 17, 2022 | The damage to infrastructure as a result of shelling and bombing and lack of electricity is severely impacting water and sewage services. The Polish Waterworks Chamber of Commerce (PWCC) coordinates partnerships between Polish and Ukrainian water utilities.
Technology consultancy Isle has issued an update on water and sanitation workers directly affected by the war in Ukraine, and how Polish and Ukrainian water utilities are working together to help refugees fleeing the war-torn country.
Partnership between Polish and Ukrainian water utilities
Poland borders Ukraine and is currently managing the influx of refugees from the ongoing crisis. The PWCC coordinates partnerships between Polish and Ukrainian water utilities.
„There are a lot of actions going directly to water utilities [in Ukraine] from Poland, for example providing equipment such as pumps, supporting recruitment – especially of Ukrainian women – and collecting donations. The financial support will be used for humanitarian and technical needs, including transport and much needed water supplies,“ said Klara Ramm, an expert working for PWCC.
45,000 bottles of drinking water were sent to eastern Ukraine
Examples of assistance that has been provided include the recruitment of Ukrainian refugees by Polish water utilities using a specialist website, and the coordination between 21 Polish water utilities to finance and transport 45,000 bottles of drinking water to eastern Ukraine.
The damage to infrastructure as a result of shelling and bombing and lack of electricity is severely impacting water and sewage services. To help tackle this, the Polish Waterworks Chamber of Commerce website also includes a list of equipment needed by water utilities in Ukraine to help repair the network, for example water pumps, fuel, and power generators.
Webinar featured interviews on the topic
The latest Water Action Platform webinar featured interviews with Klara Ramm (below), and wastewater specialist Dr David Tyler at the European Banks for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD).
Dr Tyler discussed the impact on the countries neighboring the Ukraine, and how the influx of millions of refugees is impacting on the provision of water and waste services. To help combat this, the EBRD has announced a € 2 bn recovery package to help impacted cities meet the increased demand.
Live updates on the situation in the Ukraine are available here.
