GLOBAL 2000 and Vienna Enable Access to Drinking Water in Ukraine
"Ukrainian water has been sustainably poisoned over the years," said Alexandra Strickner, Managing Director of GLOBAL 2000, on Thursday according to a press release.
Drinking Water Heavily Contaminated
Even before the war, the quality of drinking water in eastern Ukraine had suffered massively due to mining, the coal industry, and the Chernobyl disaster. Since the beginning of the war, the regular supply of clean drinking water has been increasingly at risk. Contaminated water sources endanger the health of large parts of the population. The installation of efficient purification plants is not only immediate aid but also central prevention.
"The support of the city of Vienna for Ukraine has existed for many years: We have supported the initiative of GLOBAL 2000 to establish drinking water treatment plants in those areas of Ukraine that were severely affected by the Chernobyl disaster," emphasized Vienna's Climate Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky according to the press release. "Since the outbreak of the war, there has been a catastrophic deterioration in the humanitarian situation."
167,000 People Supplied with Water
Since 2008, GLOBAL 2000 has been supporting hospitals, children's homes, and school boarding facilities with water treatment plants according to the press release. Since then, with the support of Vienna Water, 161 plants have been installed, providing more than 167,000 people with access to clean drinking water. Last year, the joint project of GLOBAL 2000 with the city of Vienna additionally supplied over 7,000 children and numerous adults with safe drinking water. Paul Hellmeier, head of Vienna Water, sees it as "our humanitarian responsibility to support the people in the Kharkiv region in securing their basic supply."
Children Recuperating in Austria
Currently, about 40 Ukrainian children and adolescents are in Austria for "summer stays" at the invitation of GLOBAL 2000. Together with the partner communities of Ybbs and Graz, and with the support of the city of Vienna, children who are still struggling with the aftermath of cancer are given a three-week break from everyday life in the war. "We see every year the positive effect the trip to Austria has on the kids," said project manager Juliana Matusova.
(APA/Red)
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