Urgent Relief: Supporting Ukraine in the Aftermath of Devastating Flooding
On June 6th at 2:50 a.m., Russian forces were suspected of having blasted the dam structure of Kakhovka, resulting in the flooding of the Kherson region in southern Ukraine. President Zelenskyy confirmed this, stating that approximately 80 settlements were endangered due to the damage caused by the dam. As a result, entire communities have been submerged, leaving many devastated to witness the loss of their livelihoods and lifelong homes to the floodwaters. The impact of this disaster is felt for thousands of square miles, disrupting the economic, agricultural, and social systems that thousands of Ukrainian families rely on in their daily lives.
According to an AP news report, Ukraine's deputy chief prosecutor, Viktoriia Lytvynova, stated, “About 25,000 people in Russian-controlled areas and 17,000 in Ukrainian-held territory should be evacuated.” According to Ukraine's Interior Minister, as of June 12th, 10 people were reported dead and 42 missing due to flooding, but it is expected that the losses and suffering will continue to grow. The evacuation is expected to result in an influx of people seeking refuge in nearby towns. However, with resources all ready depleted in Ukraine, accommodating more individuals from neighboring towns will further strain the distribution of essential medical and food supplies.
The flooding and dam destruction have severe implications for the region's irrigation systems, which are crucial for agriculture, a source of food, and economic prosperity for many Ukrainians.
Mykola Solskyi, the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, emphasized during a United News telethon that "not just half a million hectares, but one and a half million hectares will be unable to reach their full potential."
To put this into perspective, the affected land is about three times the size of the entire Grand Canyon National Park (or about 6,000 square miles!). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as "the largest man-made environmental disaster in Europe in decades," it is estimated that recovery efforts could last seven years, according to Mykola Solskyi, the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.
The UN has called this a “monumental, humanitarian, economic and ecological catastrophe” — read the full story
Our on-the-ground volunteers, Ivan and Nicole, are already working with their network partners to help with the growing need from this devastating event. Ivan is preparing to assist newly displaced vulnerable elderly and Nicole is procuring essential supplies to meet the evolving needs of people who have lost almost everything to the flooding and need immediate survival supplies. Right now, we know that clean drinking water is an urgent need for flood-affected families both in Kherson and other regions impacted by the loss of the dam. We are also focusing on providing food, hygiene items, clothing and medicine. They require your help to restore these basic necessities stripped away overnight by Russian forces.
Those wishing to make an impact can either donate funds directly to the iMiracleProject website for immediate purchasing power in Ukraine or can buy Lifestraw water purifiers from Costco ($30 per 4 pack through July 9th is by far the lowest price we’ve ever seen!) and donate them to iMiracleProject for shipment. The supplies will immediately be air freighted, then couriered to southern Ukraine so that affected Ukrainians can have access to clean drinking water.
Costco has a limit of 10 Lifestraws (4 packs) per member during this promotion. If you are local to the Puget Sound region and a Costco Member, you could really help us out by purchasing up to 10 (4 packs), then message us to coordinate a meet point to pick up the donations:
$25 Groceries for 1 person for 1 month
$40 Lifestraw Personal Water Filter Straw Pack of 4 Buy at Costco & Arrange Drop Off
$100 Groceries for a family of 4 for 1 month
Your generous donations support Ukrainians in Need!
Here at iMiracleProject, we are committed to ensuring that all your donations reach the people of Ukraine. Our programs address food insecurity and fundraise to tackle the inaccessibility to clean drinking water. Donating today to our Kherson fundraiser would contribute to a worthy cause: helping struggling families survive another day. It is through friends like you that we can rally support and create miracles.
Make Miracles. Save Lives. Send Relief Today! 🇺🇦 ❤️
The people of Ukraine thank you!