Government allots almost UAH 700 million for top-priority steps to remedy the consequences of floods in western Ukraine

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has endorsed a decision to allocate funds for first-priority steps to overcome the consequences of flood in the western regions of Ukraine.

The relevant draft order was approved at an extraordinary Government meeting on Thursday, June 25.

In his opening statement, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal stated that the flood in five western regions has become one of the largest in Ukraine in recent decades, the scale of the destruction is enormous. "Yesterday, I together with the Minister of Internal Affairs paid a working visit to Prykarpattia, and upon instructions from the President we worked out the steps  needed to be taken to save people and overcome this large-scale disaster. We have made a complete inspection of both flatland and mountainous areas. We saw in both areas devastating flood, evacuation was carried out, there are many affected households, there are injured people, unfortunately people have died", the Head of Government said and expressed his condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims.

At present, according to Denys Shmyhal, the situation is under the control of the Government and personally  President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.  "I am grateful for the coordinated work of the rescue services, all those involved in the elimination of the consequences. Today, food and drinking water are being supplied to the regions that were cut off, children and pregnant women are being evacuated from those areas. We evacuate people by helicopters. Everyone demonstrates total dedication, they do everything possible," Denys Shmyhal accentuated.

"It goes without saying that the Government has to help the victims. Today we decided to allocate funds from the state reserve fund for the needs of the regions, plus additional funds - to agencies that will eliminate the effects of the disaster, rebuild dams, make river embankment, etc.," the Prime Minister stressed.

In turn, Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine Ihor Petrashko said that the draft order on assistance to the population and the implementation of priority, urgent emergency recovery measures stipulates for allocation of funds from the reserve fund of the state budget in the amount of UAH 672 million.

In particular, it is envisaged to allocate UAH 480 million to the most hit Ivano-Frankivsk region. A sum worth UAH 30 million will be allocated to Chernivtsi and Zakarpattya regions. Lviv region will receive UAH 10 million.

Funds for restoration works will also be disbursed to the State Agency of Water Resources  in the amount of UAH 92 million, the State Forest Resources Agency - UAH 30 million, as well as  agencies that carry out rescue work, namely, the State Emergency Service, the National Guard and the National Police.

"This is our first decision. As we receive new calculations, we will make additional decisions on the allocation of funds to remedy the consequences of the disaster," Denys Shmyhal underscored.