UNICEF and Germany strengthen access to safe water and sanitation for children and families across Syria with a 15 million euros contribution

DAMASCUS, 5 February 2026 – UNICEF and the Government of Germany, through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank, are reinforcing their partnership, through a 15 million euros contribution, to improve access to safe, reliable, and sustainable water and sanitation services for children and communities across Syria.

Syria’s water infrastructure has been extensively damaged by conflict, economic decline, and climate stress. 14.4 million people – including 6 million children – are in urgent need of water, sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) assistance. Restoring and strengthening essential WASH services is critical to safeguarding children’s health, dignity, and wellbeing and to supporting recovery and stability at community level.

With the fund of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) via KfW Development Bank, UNICEF together with the Ministry of Energy and respective water authorities will support the rehabilitation of critical water supply and wastewater infrastructure, improve the efficiency and reliability of municipal water systems, and strengthen operations and maintenance capacities. The project will also invest in updated hydrogeological assessments and climate-resilient solutions to help communities adapt to increasing water scarcity and environmental stress.

The intervention will benefit more than 2.3 million people across priority governorates, with a strong focus on children, returnees, and the most vulnerable communities. By restoring essential services, the project supports public health, reduces the burden on families, and creates conditions that enable children to grow, learn, and thrive.

“Access to safe water is not a privilege, it is a basic right and a foundation for children’s survival and development. Germany’s continued support allows us to move beyond short-term fixes and invest in resilient systems that protect children from preventable disease, restore dignity to families, and help communities rebuild their lives.”

Meritxell Relaño Arana, UNICEF Representative in Syria said.

"We deeply value the strong partnership between BMZ and UNICEF, which has made it possible to restore sustainable access to clean drinking water for 4.1 people in Syria since 2021, including vulnerable displaced families and returnees. This collaboration exemplifies our shared commitment to improving lives and fostering resilience in communities most in need in Syria,” 

Annette Chammas, Head of the Middle East Division at the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development said.

Germany has been a long-standing and strategic partner to UNICEF’s WASH programme in Syria, supporting large-scale rehabilitation and system strengthening over multiple years. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to protecting children and ensuring that essential services reach those who need them most, even in the most complex and fragile contexts.

Together, UNICEF and Germany remain committed to advancing sustainable water and sanitation solutions that place children at the centre of Syria’s recovery and future.