On 6th June 2023, the destruction of the Kakhovka dam caused significant direct damages in four oblasts of Ukraine and had caused dire losses in the south of the country. In the framework of its mandate, UNESCO assessed the impact on culture, education and environment, with more than US$ 485 million needed for the recovery of these sectors over the next decade.
UNESCO experts took part in the preparation of this just released report, which depicts a very alarming situation, particularly for the cultural and educational sector, as well as for the environment and Ukrainian protected areas, including a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
In response to the ever-increasing number of disasters in Ukraine, UNESCO assists the Ukrainian authorities in several areas, providing support for pupils and teachers, training cultural professionals, and implementing emergency measures to safeguard tangible and intangible heritage.
Partly because of its high-density concentration of cultural properties, with many archaeological sites, the total damage cost for culture in the area impacted is estimated at US$ 156.8 million, representing the 3rdmost affected sector after energy and housing. The oblast of Kherson concentrates 72% of these damages.
The Ukrainian cultural sector in the region, already suffering from depletion of specialized professionals and lack of materials because of the invasion, will require urgent and long-term support for the safeguarding and documentation of cultural assets, with US$ 364 million needed for the next decade.
UNESCO also raises concerns over the serious risk of illicit excavations, looting and export in these regions, as the recessing water of the dam reservoirs are now unveiling so far undocumented unique heritage.
The Kakhovka dam breach caused a catastrophic flood, affecting 620 km² of land, including many protected areas of national and international importance, with 330,000 ha of protected areas and 11,294 ha of forested areas, for an estimated loss of over US$ 6.4 billion.
Because the left bank of the Dnipro River, which currently falls in temporary occupied territories, is particularly affected by the flooding, and due to the halt to sustainable tourism, the UNESCO Chernomorskiy (‘Black Sea’) Biosphere Reserve has been severely impacted by the floods. Located less than 45km south-west of the city Kherson, this reserve is a unique natural environment, home to a rich fauna and flora in the region.
According to the report, US$ 59.5 million will be needed to carry out a full environmental impact assessment of all affected areas, and to train professionals in the regeneration and protection of these natural habitats.
UNESCO will be supporting national and regional authorities in their management of water resources and hydrometeorological risks.
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
ArtDependence Magazine is an international magazine covering all spheres of contemporary art, as well as modern and classical art.
ArtDependence features the latest art news, highlighting interviews with today’s most influential artists, galleries, curators, collectors, fair directors and individuals at the axis of the arts.
The magazine also covers series of articles and reviews on critical art events, new publications and other foremost happenings in the art world.
If you would like to submit events or editorial content to ArtDependence Magazine, please feel free to reach the magazine via the contact page.
