Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine 2 April 2026 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, supported by funding from the Government of the Republic of Korea, has provided a set of municipal waste and debris management equipment to communities in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts. 

The equipment includes four dump trucks and three backhoe loaders for Zaporizhzhia, two waste collection trucks for Vilniansk, and a waste collection truck for Velyka Oleksandrivka in Kherson Oblast. 

As Zaporizhzhia continues to face intense and large-scale attacks, municipal services and first responders play a critical role in mitigating the consequences of attacks — clearing debris, restoring access to affected areas, and ensuring the safety of residents. 

The newly provided machinery will significantly enhance their ability to act quickly and efficiently, accelerate debris clearance, and support the recovery of affected communities. 

At the same time, the waste collection trucks provided to Vilniansk and Velyka Oleksandrivka will strengthen municipal waste management services, which lacked modern equipment even prior to the full-scale invasion.The provision of three modern waste trucks will improve waste management services for over 20,000 residents across the communities. 

Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov underscored the significance of the equipment provided. “The scale of destruction requires fast, coordinated, and well-equipped response,” he said. “This equipment considerably boosts our operational capacity — allowing us to accelerate debris removal, improve logistics, and ensure the continuity of municipal services. It is a practical and much-needed contribution to essential services for communities.” 

H.E. Park Ki-chang, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine, reaffirmed the Republic of Korea’s commitment to Ukraine’s recovery. “The Republic of Korea stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, particularly in regions such as Zaporizhzhia and Kherson that continue to face the direct impacts of the war,” Ambassador Park said. “We are proud to support initiatives that strengthen essential services and improve living conditions. This support is part of our broader partnership with UNDP to help communities recover and build resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.” 

UNDP in Ukraine Resident Representative Auke Lootsma highlighted that the initiative is part of a comprehensive approach to community recovery. “This handover is not a standalone intervention, but part of UNDP’s broader, integrated support to communities,” Lootsma said. “Through our area-based recovery approach, we work closely with local authorities and communities to co-create solutions, restore essential services, strengthen institutional capacity, and support long-term, inclusive recovery aligned with Ukraine’s national priorities and EU integration path.” 

Background: 

Through its comprehensive debris management approach, UNDP supports communities in restoring essential services by safely dismantling war-damaged structures, managing and removing debris, and strengthening local response capacities. 

In 2025, over 57 damaged sites have been cleared across Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, with more than 132,500 tonnes of debris safely sorted and removed. In 2022, UNDP also delivered a batch of 41 units of debris management equipment to the Kherson Oblast Municipal Emergency and Rescue Service. 

Media enquiries:  

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications and Advocacy; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org