Disposal of urban debris yet another war challenge for Ukraine - UN under-secretary-general

That’s according to Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, who spoke in an interview with Ukrinform.

 “The government is already working on sorting some of that debris. They have a number of crushers that will essentially crush so that you can use it for concrete to produce roads and other materials. But disposal of debris is a challenge in the situation of destruction. It is a challenge if it is an earthquake, and it is a challenge in a war. That is what we are trying to work with the government on to support them in this regard,” she said.

Andersen noted that a destroyed building may compose a whole set of components, including mercury and LED in the debris, as well as asbestos in many older roofs across Ukraine.

The undersecretary emphasized that the problem of disposing of such debris is becoming a much more urgent issue in a conflict situation. “These are not the normal skills the environment inspector has,” she added. “So, working with them and ensuring that this is an issue that they have the competence to deal with is very, very important,” added Andersen.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak discussed with Ingrid Andersen the issue of Russia’s accountability for crimes committed against the environment in Ukraine.

According to tentative assessments, environmental damage incurred by the aggressor power amounts to around UAH 2 trillion (over $50 billion) – that’s besides the damage sustained by the temporarily occupied territories. The mechanism of a more precise assessment is still being designed.