The WASH Programme team of Caritas Ukraine participated in the International Environmental Forum “Environment for Ukraine”, held in Kyiv, which brought together representatives of government institutions, international organizations, experts, and civil society.
During the forum, the team presented the photo exhibition “Water in the Fire of War”, documenting through powerful images the impact of Russia’s war on water resources, the environment, and the lives of people in affected communities.
Today, nearly one quarter of Ukraine’s territory is potentially contaminated by explosive remnants of war, while environmental damage caused by the war is already estimated at more than UAH 6.5 trillion. Behind these figures lie not only environmental losses but also serious challenges for access to safe water, the functioning of critical infrastructure, community safety, and the quality of life of millions of Ukrainians.
One of the forum’s central themes was Ukraine’s recovery in the context of the environmental consequences of war. Participants emphasized that reconstruction must go beyond rebuilding damaged infrastructure and ensure safe access to water, quality public services, and resilient solutions for local communities.
Particular attention was given to the role of civil society in the recovery process. Civil society organizations remain key partners for local communities, helping implement the Building Back Better approach—rebuilding not only faster, but also safer, more sustainably, and with greater resilience to future challenges.
These principles fully reflect the mission of the international #WASHinWAR campaign, which emphasizes that Ukraine’s recovery is impossible without protecting water resources, safeguarding the environment, and putting people’s needs at the center of reconstruction.