UN: Destruction Of Ukrainian Dams Dangers Thousands Of Civilians' Lives

JAKARTA - The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs Coordination (OCHA) stated that the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine endangered the lives of thousands of civilians.

In a post on Twitter, OCHA said the destruction of the dam put thousands of civilians in danger and caused many people to lose their homes and needed humanitarian assistance.

"Civil and civilian infrastructure are not targeted!" OCHA said, warning as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 6. The explosion at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant near Kherson caused flooding.

The International Red Cross Committee (ICRC) said the destruction of the dam included the worst damage to key infrastructure since Russia launched a war in Ukraine, more than 15 months ago.

The ICRC said it would work with local authorities and partners of the Red Cross to help affected communities, particularly thousands of people on both banks of the Dnipro River.

"It is important to remember that dams are specifically protected under international humanitarian law because they have dangerous powers, which if released, can cause suffering among civilians," the ICRC said on Twitter.

Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of launching attacks on the dam.