May 21, 2024
News
Amid Syria's conflict, which has been ongoing for more than 13 years, Caritas Czech Republic has been delivering urgent assistance to the people in need. Now, we will provide access to potable water and improve hygiene for more than 6,500 people while also supporting displaced women vulnerable to gender-based violence.
Improving access to potable water in Northwest Syria
After more than 13 years of conflict , Syria faces a dire humanitarian crisis, with 16.7 million people requiring assistance. This marks the highest number of people in need since the war began and 1.3 million more than last year. The devastating earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey in February 2023 further exacerbated the difficult situation of the people in the country.
Due to the war, more than half of Syria's population has been forced to flee their homes. With over 6 million people displaced within the country, Syria now has the highest number or internally displaced people in the world. These people face especially harsh living conditions and often struggle to access vital resources, such as clean potable water and dignified hygiene conditions.
The war has severely damaged the essential water infrastructure in Syria due to bombing, lack of maintenance, and poor management system. Nearly two-thirds of wastewater treatment plants, half of the water pumping stations and one-third of the water tower have been affected. Moreover, inadequate wastewater treatment, dysfunctional sewage systems, and poor hygiene practices contribute to a heightened risk of disease outbreaks. Northwest Syria has been struggling with a cholera outbreak for almost two years now.
To support Syrians in the Northwest region, Caritas Czech Republic together with partner organisation Takaful Al Sham (TAS) will rehabilitate, through repairs and maintenance, the water network in the Al-Bab district. “We will improve access to potable water in three communities and two camps for internally displaced people in Northwest Syria, We will also focus on improving the hygiene conditions in the same communities by distributing hygiene and dignity kits,“ explains Rukas Ibrahim, Country Director at Caritas Czech Republic in Syria, and adds that the organisation will conduct awareness-raising campaigns on the prevention of disease outbreaks.
Ensuring sustainable aid without harming the environment
The Al-Bab district in Northwest Syria, where Caritas Czech Republic will repair and maintain the Shweiha water station and surrounding water network, is one of the areas most affected by the spread of waterborne diseases in all of Syria. It is therefore essential to improve the access to potable water and hygiene conditions in the district.
This initiative will improve the access to clean water in the three communities of Shweiha, Jeb Eldam Elbab and Shuwayhah. In addition, it will also better the living conditions in the two camps for internally displaced people of Mazraat Shwyhnah and Birshaya.
“Until recently, these areas were supplied with water through water trucking. However, it was difficult to cover the whole area consistently and the practice has a significant negative environmental impact,” explains Rukas Ibrahim. Ensuring the sustainability of aid is important because the access to potable water has worsened, largely due to the increasing frequency of droughts caused by the climate crisis.
Supporting women and girls vulnerable to gender based violence
In Syria, gender-based violence remains a significant concern. The widespread displacement of people, breakdown of societal structures, and lack of effective protection have created a dangerous environment for women and girls. Especially in camps for internally displaced people, women and girls are at risk of sexual and domestic violence or forced marriage.
Caritas Czech Republic will support women and girls vulnerable to gender-based violence. “We will create a safe space for women and girls where we can address their specific needs and mitigate risks of gender based violence. We will provide psychosocial support, legal counselling as well as essential cash support to the women and girls,“ says the Country Director, Rukas Ibrahim. Caritas Czech Republic will also raise awareness on these topics and conduct information sessions on gender based-violence and protection.
Our initiative aims to help especially vulnerable women and girls, such as individuals with disabilities and single parents.
Caritas Czech Republic has been supporting Syrians for more than 10 years
Since 2013, Caritas Czech Republic has been actively supporting people in Syria. Initially, we provided immediate humanitarian aid and supported the local healthcare sector with mobile clinics. Last year we also began providing immediate assistance after the catastrophic earthquake.
In the Northwest, we are providing trainings to local NGOs to involve them in the reconstruction efforts of their country. We supported young Syrians to start their own businesses and become financially independent.
We will provide access to potable water and support women and girls vulnerable to gender-based violence thanks to the financial support of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in partnership with Syrian humanitarian organisation Takaful Al Sham (TAS).
