Water problems increase in Shehba as UNICEF reduces supplies

After the occupation of Afrin, the people were forced to migrate to Shehba. Water from the wells in Shehba Canton cannot be consumed as drinking water.

UNICEF placed drinking water tanks on the roads of the villages and districts of Shehba Canton. The number of refugees, however, continues to increase. Damascus government forces began to impose an embargo on the region.

UNICEF was supplying more than 2,400 cubic meters of drinking water to the region. However, due to pressure from the Damascus government and Russia’s veto over the Til Koçer Border Gate, this rate has dropped to 1,000 cubic meters since 11 July. As a result, 38 villages, 3 districts and 80,000 people are being deprived of drinking water.

In response to UNICEF, 340 water workers, 140 observers, 167 drivers and 24 water source supervisors in Shehba Canton increased their working hours and work 17 hours a day to provide water to the population.

There are 12 water sources used in the villages of Neyrabiye, Tiana, Fafîn, Til Şiîr, Erezê, Herbel, Til Rifet, Dêrcimêl, Ziyaretê and Aqîbê in Shehba Canton.

Seydo Seydo, member of Shehba Canton Water Unit Manager, told ANHA that the embargo imposed by the Damascus government on the region has a very negative impact.

Pointing out that the supply of fuel became more difficult after the embargo imposed by the Damascus government, Seydo Seydo noted that the scarcity of fuel also caused a decrease in the share of water for the people.