The Dnieper River Basin Challenge: Local and International Response to an Environmental and Human Health Crisis

The following article is a summary of the past and current environmental programs in the Dnieper River Basin that are led by the Canadian International Development Center and the Global Environmental Facility. The first part of the article summarizes the main environmental and health issues found in the basin. These have been described as catastrophic and include: A health crisis including increased cancer incidence, lower life expectancy, water-borne disease, and more. Sub-standard or unacceptable drinking water. Heavy metals concentrations up to 1900 % above maximum allowable. An environmental crisis. Severe oxygen deficiency/algae blooms in reservoirs and river mouth — strangling aquatic life, increasing salinity of Black Sea, lost habitat. A difficult trans-boundary issue — lack of reliable information, limited management. Structures to deal with issues across borders. Economic challenge e.g. new infrastructure requirements but limited local fiscal resources.