Appeal Target: US$ 197,725

Western Ukraine is suffering distress caused by the strongest floods they have experienced for the last 70 years. It assailed the region with torrential downpours from July 23 to 27, precipitating enormous rainfall. The water in some parts of the River Dniester, the largest in the region, rose 7-10 meters, while the check dams are designed to withstand 5 meters at the most. The torrential downpours have caused the rivers including the Dniester and Prut as well as lakes and water storage reservoirs to burst their banks. Water flooded cities and villages, causing tremendous damage to crops, the principal source of income to the local population.  According to UN assessments the following damage has been reported:

• 34 people died
• 40,000 people have been evacuated
• 25,000 people were forced to leave their homes
• 532 towns are under water
• 9,000 houses are under water
• 24,000 hectares of agricultural land are flooded (34,000 ha according to the Ukrainian Emergency Ministry)
• 360 bridges are damaged

The Ukrainian authorities have evacuated people from the flooded areas to temporary shelters in schools, hostels and tent camps. They have appealed to the international community for urgent humanitarian aid in coping with the consequences of the floods.  The most affected areas are six western Ukrainian regions of Vinnitsa, Ivano-Frankovsk, Ternopol, Chernovtsy, Uzhgorod and Lvov.

An ACT Alert was sent out on 29 July 2008 (No. 28/2008).  ACT members Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA) and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) are present in the disaster-affected areas, have carried out assessments, and have prepared the attached proposals for emergency assistance, comprising food as and non-food items for the most needy flood victims. 

Project Completion Dates:

Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) – 31 October 2008
Hungarian Interchurch Aid – 30 November 2008 

Reporting schedule: 

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested:

Signed by:

John Nduna
Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office