UN relief chief voices concern over people without water access in Ukraine.
NEW YORK, June 14 (KUNA) — UN Relief Chief appealed to all parties to the conflict in Ukraine to immediately ensure a prolonged cessation of hostilities to allow critical repair and maintenance to restore water supply.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien said he is deeply concerned for the well-being of some 400,000 people on both sides of the ‘contact line’ in the Donetska Oblast of eastern Ukraine, who have been without access to safe drinking water for four days due to shelling of the First Lift Pumping Station of the South Donbass Water Pipeline on June 11.
"The water supply to another 700,000 people is also hanging in the balance," he said.
According to the statement, emergency services and aid agencies are working together to provide water to affected communities by any means possible.
O’Brien is extremely concerned about possible outbreaks of water-borne diseases and the effect that water cuts will have on health facilities in the area.
He called for the need for urgent and permanent repairs to the pumping station is paramount.
(end) mao.mb