There is coverage in the Daily Express, Sky News and Reliefweb after an emergency convoy of lorries carrying flood equipment left the UK for Ukraine yesterday following the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in the Kherson region last week. A broadcast feature on BBC Midlands Today showed equipment donated by the Environment Agency being prepared at a depot in Warwickshire, alongside an interview with the Environment Agency's Director of Incident Management and Resilience Paul Clements.
The donated equipment, which includes 3 high volume pumps, 6 mobile pumps and 15km of temporary barriers, will offer a significant capability to pump water out of flooded areas in Southern Ukraine, where over 42,000 civilians remain affected and an estimated 100,00 hectares of agricultural area have been submerged.
Yesterday's deployment follows the announcement on 10 June that the UK government is giving an extra £16million in humanitarian support as Ukraine deals with the aftermath of the destruction of the Nova Kakhova dam. This builds on our existing humanitarian support of £220 million which is allowing partners, such as the Ukraine Red Cross, to help evacuate civilians affected by the flooding.
Environment Agency Chief Executive, John Curtin said:
The images coming from Kherson following the devastation around the Nova Kakovka Dam are heart-breaking. We can only begin to imagine the impact on communities of this flooding. We stand ready to do whatever we can to help our Ukrainian colleagues save lives and support their recovery efforts.
The equipment we have sent includes large pumps that will have a real effect on removing flood water from affected areas and our barriers can help protect critical sites like hospitals and schools from further floods.
Environment Secretary, Thérèse Coffey said:
I am pleased we are sending pumps, boats and other equipment to help the humanitarian response to the dam destruction devastation causing flooding and driving Ukrainians out of their homes and villages.
Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire, Chris Philp said:
This donation is a testament to our ongoing support of Ukrainian services and aid organisations, which are in desperate need of equipment following the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam.
I am immensely proud that we are once again supporting the recovery efforts in Ukraine by donating a further convoy of life-saving equipment, including 19 rescue boats.
This aid package is part of the UK's total support for Ukraine which so far totals £1.5 billion in economic and humanitarian support, which has paid for the delivery of more than 11 million medical items as well as food supplies, ambulances, and shelter kits. Additionally, we are providing military support in the form of air defence missiles and training for Ukrainian recruits and pilots.