04/10/2021

Ongoing conflict in Syria has crippled water facilities across Syria, says Internal Committee of the Red Cross

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a report on the worsening water crisis in Syria in which it indicated that access to safe drinking water has become a challenge for millions of people throughout Syria. According to the report, the drinking water available in Syria is approximately 40% lower than it was a decade ago.

The report detailed the damage caused to Syria’s water infrastructure throughout the course of the civil war. In some cases, facilities have lost 30–40% of the technical and engineering staff needed to keep the systems running. Many have left the country, while others have retired without being able to train and transfer knowledge to the younger generation.

At least 700,000 people in the city of Hasakah, in North and East Syria are affected by water shortages. According to the report, the ICRC has consistently called for the protection and preservation of vital infrastructure in line with international humanitarian law.

The ICRC noted that the unprecedented challenges in addressing require a greater level of financial and political participation from a more diverse group of actors, including humanitarian organizations, development agencies, and the private sector.