WASH in War

Critical infrastructure in Ukraine has been a central target of Russian attacks, with far-reaching consequences for the civilian population. Through 12 years of war in Donbas and four years of full-scale war across the entire country, Ukrainians have gained hard-earned experience about the importance of water security.

The photo exhibition WASH in War portrays the extensive destruction of Ukraine’s water systems: dams, water towers, pipelines, and storage tanks. It tells a story of hardship, suffering, and the absence of one of the most fundamental conditions for life: water. At the same time, it shares stories of ingenuity, resilience, and the determination to find solutions under extreme conditions.

The exhibition is part of a knowledge campaign developed by Caritas Ukraine and highlights Russia’s systematic attempts to choke off the population’s access to water. The photographs also serve as a warning to Norway.

Water is a critical resource in every country. In Norway, it is not only access to clean drinking water that would be at risk in the event of an attack on water infrastructure, nearly 90 percent of the country’s electricity supply also depends on hydropower. Ukrainians have learned a great deal about how to cope with attacks on water supply systems. Russia has learned how to destroy them. By learning from Ukraine’s experiences, Norway can be better prepared if one day we face a similar crisis.