Multi-sectoral assessment mission in response to flooding in Western Ukraine (Ivano-Frankivsk oblast)

I. Overview of the situation

• Exceptionally heavy rainfalls during the last week of June reported to have caused severe damage in five regions of western Ukraine (Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Zakarpattia, Ternopil and Lviv oblasts). On 1 July, the Expert Commission of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) classified the flooding as a state emergency. The five western regions are also significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, accounting for around 40 per cent of the confirmed cases nationwide (as of mid-July).

• Among the five affected oblasts, Ivano Frankivsk was identified as the most affected due to two reasons – one was its highest number of populations and the other was its geographical features, with Dnister river running through the northern part and the Carpathian Mountains in the south. Out of the 20 administrative units (14 raions and 6 municipalities), 14 were affected by the floods, albeit with varying degrees.

• According to Ivano-Frankivsk SESU, an estimated 13,000 families (approximately 39,000 people) in 263 settlements were directly affected by the floods, including four deaths. Reportedly, 20 private houses were completely destroyed, however, more detailed housing damage assessments are ongoing to establish a comprehensive figure. At the onset of the floods, some 1,500 evacuated and rescued from the flooded dwellings and by July, they have reportedly returned to their homes or relocated to relatives’ houses. No internal displacement was reported as of 9 July.

• In Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, infrastructure damage was reported to be significant (worth around UAH 2 billion – equivalent to approximately USD 74 million, according to the Deputy Governor as of 7 July). Overflowing river and tributaries washed away bridges and roads, flooded the villages and towns located along the banks, and destroyed power lines and dams. According to Ivano-Frankivsk oblast authorities, the following is the overview of damage (as of 9 July):

 17 health facilities affected.  200 km of roads completely destroyed and 500 km of roads partially damaged.  Some 12,000 water wells polluted.  Some 7,000 hectares of the agricultural fields affected.  In the mountainous areas, 93 bridges destroyed and 249 partially damaged.  80,000 km of the embankment damaged.  Limited damage on the transport connections. Work is ongoing by SESU to restore transport connections.  Gas supply for 3,000 people in 20 locations was disrupted. As of 9 July, gas supply to some communities in isolated mountainous areas has not been fully restored.

II. Mission objective

A multi-sectoral assessment mission was initiated and coordinated by OCHA. The mission comprised of six team members representing five UN agencies, namely FAO representing Food Security and Livelihood (FSL)

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Cluster, UNICEF representing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster, WHO representing Health Cluster and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The mission was conducted in collaboration with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, Caritas Ukraine and other key partners currently operational in the affected areas.

The mission sought to assess the current situation facing the affected populations in different locations and to identify their priority needs. The findings of the assessment aim to inform the response planning of the international humanitarian and development community - in support of the Government-led emergency operations – to ensure the affected populations’ immediate and longer-term needs will be adequately addressed.

Ivano-Frankivsk oblast was selected as a site for the mission to visit. The selection was done in consultation with the relevant Clusters, URCS, Caritas and REACH, taking into consideration the fact that it was the most affected oblast. The mission took place from 7 to 10 July.

The mission visited six locations in the oblast as per the following (please refer to the map below):

# Name of the Raion Characteristics settlement 1 Lanchyn Nadvirna A rural ‘clustered’ community located in a raion valley. 2 Dzembronia Verkhovyna A rural community in the Carpathian raion Mountains. Scatteredly populated. 3 Tysmenytsia Tysmenytsia Semi-urban community 20-minute drive raion from Ivano-Franskivsk city. Low-lying area on Dnister river. 4 Nyzhniv Tlumach Rural community 30-minute drive from raion Ivano-Franskivsk city. Low-lying area close to Dnister river. 5 Petryliv Tlumach Rural community 30-minute drive from raion Ivano-Franskivsk city. Low-lying area close to Dnister river. 6 Halych Halych raion Urban community in the center of Halych raion.

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III. Key Findings and Recommendations

1. The scale of physical damage differs based on the geographical features of the communities. Within the oblast, the mountainous areas were observed to be the most affected both directly by the flooding and indirectly by landslides (as a secondary hazard) and inaccessibility. However, as the areas were scatteredly populated, the household damage was less significant. Nonetheless, work is required to restore access and connectivity, particularly for some 2,000 people living in isolated mountainous communities cut off by damaged or destroyed bridges.

2. Urgent humanitarian needs have overall been covered by the local responders, particularly the local authorities with support from URCS and Caritas present on the ground. This is due to the strong leadership of the local authorities and the existing support mechanisms in place (e.g additional human and machinery resources of the State Emergency Service from neighboring oblasts, as well as Armed Forces of Ukraine, Police and National Guard were mobilized to support the response in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast). Reportedly, the response was not significantly hindered by COVID-19. However, small pockets of needs remain, particularly among those whose houses were completely destroyed and those who have been cut-off from services due to infrastructure damage in the mountainous areas.

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3. At the time of the mission, the situation had improved considerably and stabilized. Emergency response in seven raions/municipalities had been concluded, while the response was ongoing in nine raions (particularly in the mountainous areas), with a focus on rehabilitation of the damaged infrastructural objects and restoring access to the settlements cut-off by damaged bridges and landslides. SESU reported delivering emergency relief to the population living in the ‘cut-off’ settlements by helicopter.

4. State compensation mechanism was the most commonly raised concern by the affected people, particularly related to prioritization criteria and eligibility. The mission was informed by every affected individual (whom the mission talked to) that a ‘blanket’ compensation was previously provided in response to the flooding in 2008. However, the prioritization criteria for this year’s compensation has been modified and become limited in scope. Only the families whose house was either completely destroyed or ‘severely damaged’ were eligible to receive The flooded basement of a house in Lanchyn - covered in compensation so far.1 In all affected mud. communities the mission visited, the concern about the loss of kitchen gardens, food stocks and livestock feeds was consistently raised and there is no compensation scheme for this type of damage. This might have a medium-term impact on food security and livelihoods of the affected populations.

5. The severity of the recent floods in western Ukraine were exacerbated by several underlying systemic causes, including climate change and deforestation (although the latter was debatable). The mission was informed that the volume of precipitation during the three days (22-24 June) were equivalent to that usually observed in a 3-4 month time period. Taking this consideration and the likelihood of such disaster to strike again, a paradigm shift in disaster management approach will be required from emergency response to disaster risk reduction (DRR). While the shift to DRR may take time to materialize, it is important to explore the avenue for strengthening emergency response preparedness of all involved actors (generally led by SESU) in all disaster-prone areas across Ukraine.

6. The mission concluded that there was no need for a large-scale international emergency humanitarian response assuming that the government would continue its effort in addressing the immediate and long-term needs - with support of the operational partners already on the ground. International assistance for targeted interventions aimed at selected vulnerable groups could be justified, if requested by the government and subject to available resources.

7. More detailed sectoral findings are presented in Annex 1.

1 According to the local authorities, around UAH 480 million (USD 17.7 million) was allocated quickly for the flood response in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast by the central Government. The allocation was reportedly for emergency response, urgent reconstruction, compensation for people who lost their houses or whose house was ‘severely damaged’, and other measures to avoid further damage. Page 4 of 12

ANNEX 1: SECTORAL FINDINGS

FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELYHOODS

1. Overview

• Accessibility and availability of food. Access to food has been restored. In the ‘cut-off’ settlements, the local authorities jointly with State Emergency Service (SES), National Police and NGOs have been delivering food and fresh water by helicopters (in mountain areas) and boats (in flatlands). In flatlands, access to markets and shops is completely restored. People residing in rural areas get food both from markets/shops and kitchen gardens.

• Agriculture. Agricultural season is ongoing. Harvest season was expected to start in late July – August, therefore floods have an impact on harvest. Not all households in rural area possess livestock or animals. It is preliminarily estimated that in affected settlements from 20% to 50% of the number of land plots are flooded. In general, over 18,000 household plots in Ivano-Frankivsk region were affected by flooding. Currently, no financial assistance or reimbursement is foreseen for those who lost their harvest and whose gardens were damaged as a result of flood will not receive The flooded kitchen-garden in Petryliv (Tlumach raion) any compensation, as financial aid is targeted only for residential houses restoration.

• Livelihood. Non-agricultural job opportunities and livelihood were deteriorated significantly as a result of COVID-19, thus no significant effect of floods on jobs and livelihoods were observed. People working abroad returned home after COVID-19 outbreak and the majority of them stay unemployed. Small businesses, most of which were operating in tourism, retail, food and lodging industry, experienced a significant reduction of income or even close of enterprises as a consequence of COVID-19 and related restrictive measures.

2. Short-term needs

Acute needs have been covered due to well-coordinated efforts of Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Administration, local authorities at raion (amalgamated communities) level, State Emergency Service and NGOs (URCS and Caritas).

3. Medium-term needs

• Impact on crops. The damage to majority of the gardens has been registered. Potential food insecurity for those vulnerable – mostly single elderly and people with disabilities – who solely rely on their kitchen gardens. • In affected villages people reported loss of seeds due to the flooding. Households will need to restock seeds for the upcoming agricultural season.

4. Long-term needs Page 5 of 12

• Livestock losses are not crucial. Mostly losses of poultry are registered. • Impact on animal feed. People who lost fodder and feed for their livestock, small animals and poultry, tend to sell their animals or slaughter livestock that might have negative long-term consequences for food security status of their households. A part of pastures is flooded that reduces access to animal feed. • Impact on livestock shelter. Damages of livestock shelters were registered that need to be recovered to maintain livelihood of the affected households. • Impact on agricultural tools. People reported damages and loss of the agricultural tools and equipment, including equipment for cereals cut, choppers, small agricultural equipment. • Impact on agricultural land. In mountain areas, soil recovery of the flooded land can take several years.

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HEALTH

1. Overview • The healthcare situation in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast represent a complex of systemic problems. Access to clean water, medications and health services remains a concern. The flood impact has been exacerbated by COVID-19 outbreak. Ivano- Frankivsk oblast is one of the affected oblasts by COVID-19 outbreak with some 3000 confirmed cases. • Reportedly, the flooding has not disrupted health services’ provision. The locations that were cut off remained accessible with support of State Emergency situation, helicopter and boats have been used for evacuation. • 17 paramedic points (FAP) and 1 hospital were flooded though access was shortly resumed. Normally, the health care system requires four- wheel drive ambulances to perform reach-outs. Information board on COVID-19 in Halych hospital. 2. Short-term needs

• In light of water shortages, polluted wells and other monitoring of water borne diseases recommended. • Need for psycho-social support for the affected people. Immediate needs were reportedly covered by SESU psychologists.

3. Medium-term needs

• Shortage of medical equipment such as lung ventilators, patient monitors, oxygen equipment is reported in COVID-19 designated hospitals.

4. Long term needs

• The pharmacy network does not cover all the location that implies certain difficulties especially for the elderly population and people with disabilities. Reportedly, social workers support the population with medications’ delivery. At the same time the deputy head of the regional administration mentioned that social workers have been working for a long period of time without having break for vacation. • Establishment of the mobile pharmacy would be recommended.

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WASH, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH)

1. Overview • Mountainous rural settlements use mostly wells as water sources and outdoor toilets (pit latrines) for sanitation purposes. These settlements were not flooded but temporary cut off due to the damage of infrastructure (roads and bridges). Visits to Verhovyna rayon locations were done (Dzembronya). • Flatland rural settlements also use mostly wells as water sources and outdoor toilets (pit latrines) for sanitation purposes. In these villages some of the wells and pit latrines were flooded and are temporary out of order. In terms of WASH these are the most affected areas. Visits to Petryliv and Nyzhniv in the valley of Dniester river were done. In terms of WASH Lanchyn in Nadvirna rayon affected by the mudslide also belongs to this category. • Flatland urban settlements are connected to the centralized water supply and sewerage. In these areas some of the institutions (COVID-19 designated hospital, orphanage, kindergartens and schools) were also affected by flooding but in terms of WASH the impact was minor. The visited location of this type is Halych.

2. Short-term needs • The immediate needs in the drinking water were covered by the State Emergency Service (SESU) and NGOs working in the area during the first weeks following the flood. Bottled water and water trucking were provided to the affected population. Most needs were already covered. • Hygiene and cleaning supplies are also critical especially in the times of COVID-19. They were partially provided by the governmental and non-governmental humanitarian actors. Hygiene and cleaning supplies are available in the local shops, but the affected households might not prioritize them due to increased spending on food and repairs.

3. Medium-term needs • In the flatland rural settlements where wells and pit latrines were flooded the process of dirty water pumping out, cleaning and disinfection of wells is ongoing (SESU). • It is critical to monitor the quality of water in the affected settlements to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases. Water testing should be done by the oblast laboratory center in the weeks following the flooding after the wells are cleaned to ensure access to safe drinking water for the population. • In the design of wells and pit latrines in the areas prone to flooding it would be useful to consider Outside toilet in Petryliv (Tlumach raion). some flood-proof adjustments (elevation, protective barriers, etc).

4. Long-term needs • Connection of rural settlements to the centralized water supply and sewerage would decrease the WASH impact of flooding. • Water safety planning to ensure the safety of drinking water through the use of comprehensive risk assessment and risk management approach that encompasses all steps in water supply from water intake to the consumer would be also useful. Page 8 of 12

• Disaster risk reduction and early warning are important for mountainous as well as for flatland areas to mitigate the impact of future flooding. • Enforcement of riverbanks and proper river basin management are also critical.

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Recovery and disaster risk reduction findings and recommendations (by UNDP)

Emergency planning and Early Warning While a number of interlocutors at both oblast administration level and among local authorities 6 communities in several districts of IF oblast) confirmed the existence of some emergency planning at Amalgamated Hromada (AH) and regional level, it is recommended that flood forecasting and early warning are better developed and implemented. This will remain a fundamental precondition for an efficient management of potential future floods and resulting damages.

The absence of reliable landline or mobile network coverage in affected areas (both highlands and Dnister plains) thwarted authorities’ efforts from developing a robust system to alert, rescue and Road destroyed in Verkhovyna raion. ensure emergency safety measures at all levels.

It is of paramount importance to concentrate on developing a sufficient communication infrastructure, as well as implementing digital solutions that would ensure timely access to appropriate information and alerts. With adequate and timely information, forecasting the severity of the emergency, those affected by the floods will be able to take possible precautions that would limit the severity of damages to property or life.

Community Engagement/Public Information Following interaction and discussions with the victims of the floods and local authorities, it was underlined that local governmental interlocutors should duly engage the inhabitants of the affected communities in planning disaster preparedness, as well as educating and training the members of the community in terms of their roles and actions during an emergency (floods, fire etc.).

The application of the Community Security Working Groups (CSWG) approach, piloted by UNDP Ukraine in conflict-affected Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, might prove efficient and is recommended to ensure Cleanup in Lanchyn village after the flood. participative decision-making, as well as engaging the members of the community in preparing for potential emergency situations. The application of these community mobilization approaches is proven to improve the quality and implementation of decisions, as well as gives the members of the community an opportunity to express their concerns and perceptions of the situation. In addition, the CSWG approach provides for an avenue to implement psycho-social support (PSS) programmes at community level, taking into account the level of distress observed during the meetings with the victims of the floods.

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These community engagement and mobilization approaches have an ultimate goal of ensuring due public awareness, practical preparedness and participation (both in preparation for, during and post-disaster).

Sustainable Water and Forest Management

A number of reports by national environmental organisations and international watchdogs have claimed that the devastating effects of years of illegal logging has led to a situation when water resulting from rainfall is not retained on the slopes of the mountains and leads to unprecedented flash floods in mountainous areas of IF oblast. According to cited reports, trees are logged even during silent periods, when wildlife can nest and reproduce, while loggers are claiming this is “sanitary felling” of trees affected by pests. On July 6, a coalition of national environmental NGOs, has claimed (link) that “lack of political will to implement change has meant almost all The stream that devastated Lanchyn village following a Ukrainian wood now entering local and EU markets risks flash flooding. being linked to corruption, illicit deforestation, environmental abuses or organised crime.”

The lack of sustainable forest management in IF and neighbouring oblasts has led to the situation when rainfalls are having unprecedented devastating effects on the downstream communities affected by flash floods. Insufficient cleanup of water streams in the highland areas has led to clogging up of riverbeds and insufficient discharge of surplus water during heavy rainfall, leading up to flash flooding, as in the case of Lanchyn community (see photo above).

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ANNEX 2: LIST OF KEY INFORMANTS

Regional authorities

1. Maria Savka, First Deputy Head of the Regional State Administration. 2. Volodymyr Korzheniovskyi, Head of Social Policy Department of the Regional State Administration. 3. Volodymyr Chernetskyi, Head of the State Emergency Service of Ivano-Frankivsk oblast. 4. Iryna Kobelska, Acting Head of the Health Department of the Regional State Administration. 5. Volodymyr Stebnytskyi, Head of the Civil Protection Department of the Regional State Administration. 6. Tetyana Bilous, Chief Specialist of the External Relations, International Cooperation, European Integration, Tourism and Investment.

Raion authorities

1. Volodymyr Popovych, Head of Lanchyn Amalgamated Community. 2. Mykhailo Gresko, Deputy Head of Lanchyn Amalgamated Community. 3. Vasyl Brovchuk, Head of Verkhovyna Raion Administration. 4. Serhiy Gaievskyi, Head of Tlumach Raion Administration. 5. Lesia Kovaliuk, Head of Nyzhniv Village Council. 6. Volodymyr Chuiko, Deputy Head of the Galych City Administration. 7. Serhii Kaniuka, Head of Galych Raion Administration.

Humanitarian actors

1. Valerii Starchenko, Head of Ivano-Frankivsk Ukrainian Red Cross Society. 2. Vadym Popalov, Security Officer of Ukrainian Red Cross Society. 3. Ilya Mykhailov, Head of Disaster Management Department of Ukrainian Red Cross Society. 4. Natalia Kozakevych, Manager of Caritas Ivano-Frankivsk. 5. Father Volodymyr Chornii, Head of Caritas Ivano-Frankivsk.

Other

1. Mirce Matei, Monitoring Officer of OSCE SMM to Ukraine, Ivano-Frankivsk.

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