The Belgian government announced that it will send aid to Moldova from its strategic reserves after the oil spill in the Dniester River. The authorities in Chisinau will receive funds for water purification, BTA reported.
The drinking water crisis in Moldova is a direct consequence of the Russian strikes (in Ukraine) and it affects not only the infrastructure, but the entire population and ecosystems, commented on this occasion Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevost, quoted by local media. We condemn these actions as resolutely as possible, he added. Prevost promises to continue assistance to Moldova by providing experts in order to find lasting solutions.
At the end of last week, Moldova discovered an oil spill entering the river after Russian air strikes on a Ukrainian hydroelectric power plant. According to Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, tens of thousands of people are affected. Moldova is getting its drinking and irrigation water from the Dniester.
The Moldovan government is struggling with the consequences of a “drinking water disaster” caused by Russia, DPA reported.
“For several days, residents of the Balti municipality and the Soroks, Sangerei and Floresti districts have been left without water from the public water supply,” Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said, as quoted by the Moldovan news agency Moldpress. Tens of thousands of people have been affected. He assured that experts are working tirelessly to restore the water supply.
The cause of the problem is a large oil spill in the Dniester River, from which Moldova obtains its drinking water.
According to the Moldovan Ministry of the Environment, a new activated carbon filter at the water intake station should improve the quality of the water.
Chisinau accuses Moscow of causing the current problems by attacking a Ukrainian hydroelectric power plant located near the border with Moldova.