Samaritan's Purse comes alongside local churches to provide clean, accessible water for numerous communities.
Many in Ukraine turn a faucet but no water flows. Since war broke out over two years ago, constant shelling has decimated water systems across the country.
“Our city is now like a desert town without water,” Ivanna* said, a resident in the south of Ukraine.
In Ivanna’s region, water used to be plentiful—until the Kakhova dam collapsed nearly nine months ago, unleashing the nation’s largest reservoir to drain into the Black Sea. Thousands living downstream saw floodwaters rise to their shoulders, while residents upstream lost their primary water source. “When the dam was destroyed, it became another challenge for us…the reservoir turned into a desert,” Ivanna lamented.
Many war-weary residents flock to our distribution centers for water to drink and clean with.
Daniela*, who lives within earshot of the front lines, expressed the same struggle. “We received a water supply at best once a week and even then, it was of terrible quality,” she said. The little water her community received, Daniela noted, was red and dangerous to drink.
Samaritan’s Purse has since stepped in to meet this need for Ivanna and Daniela. Through local church partners, Samaritan’s Purse WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programs have provided potable water to over 100,000 people across Ukraine. More than 24 million gallons of clean water have been produced through 35 wells and 47 reverse osmosis (RO) systems since the region plummeted into war.
God is using clean water to restore war-torn communities all over Ukraine.
“Thanks to Samaritan’s Purse and the local church, fresh potable water was delivered right to our street so our whole neighborhood could manage to get as much water as we need,” Ivanna said. “Now we can cook food for our families, make some coffee, and be encouraged. We’re so grateful.”
Rejoicing in Mykolaiv
“This is a symbolic event,” Pastor Victor* said, addressing 24 community representatives at a Samaritan’s Purse WASH celebration in the southern city of Mykolaiv. “The church gives living water to people literally and metaphorically.”
Community representatives joined in prayer to thank God for providing water during these tumultuous times.
In November 2022, parts of the Kherson region were liberated after a six-month occupation by Russian forces. The nearby city of Mykolaiv, whose water comes from Kherson, was left with no running water as a result of damaged infrastructure from Russian occupation. However, Samaritan’s Purse quickly came to the aid of those suffering in the region.
Late in 2023, church partners from the region congregated to highlight the completion of the Samaritan’s Purse WASH project in Mykolaiv, an 18-month endeavor that brought thousands of people fresh water and saw more than a dozen wells drilled and 17 RO systems installed in the region.
“[Samaritan’s Purse] was the first to come to us in Mykolaiv, not only with water, but also with food and all other projects,” Pastor Victor said. “This has left such a positive mark that will never be washed away. Glory to God!”
Pastor Victor went on to explain how many had lost hope in the city. The sewer system was predicted to collapse, which “would have led to many troubles,” the pastor warned.
“God has had mercy on the people, the city, and the church, the time has come for the church to serve in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, not only in word but also in deed and truth,” Pastor Victor continued, alluding to 1 John 3:18.
Another church partner, Pastor Oleksandr*, retold the story of Elijah fleeing into the desert for his life. Just like Elijah, many Ukrainians had lost hope, surrounded by enemies with nowhere to go and no water to survive. “Do you remember how God solved this problem in the life of Elijah? He sent an angel to bring him water,” Pastor Oleksandr said at the event. “You [Samaritan’s Purse] have become such an angel for us. You gave us water.”
Clean water gives many Ukrainians hope for a better tomorrow.
Amid air raid sirens, hope is flourishing in the local churches in Ukraine. People who would never step foot into a church now flock to it for water and supplies, only to then meet Jesus Christ, the Living Water.
Please continue to pray for Samaritan’s Purse and our local church partners as the war in Ukraine continues.
*Names have been changed for security reasons.
