Functioning sanitation services to protect families’ health
UNICEF provides families and children with access to good sanitation
Bab Sibaa, Homs city, Syria: “Pollution is bad for children, and we know that a dysfunctional sewage network in our neighbourhood will be a source of health problems. It’s only a matter of time,” said Abdul Razak, 66, a grandfather of five. He lives in Bab Sibaa area in Homs city, Syria.
Across Syria, the protracted conflict has destroyed large parts of the water and sanitation infrastructure and at least 70 per cent of the discharged sewage is untreated.
In Bab Sibaa neighbourhood, the sanitation infrastructure has been heavily impacted by the conflict. While people were forced to flee, the area was abandoned for years, and the pipes were blocked. When internally displaced families returned from other governorates, the problem got worse and exposed thousands of people to the risk of mixing drinking water with sanitation water networks. This is in turn heightened the risk of serious disease outbreaks.
“Pollution is bad for children, and we know that a dysfunctional sewage network in our neighbourhood will be a source of health problems. It’s only a matter of time.”
“I feel sorry for my children. In addition to harsh winters, they are forced to go through mud and dirty water every morning while walking to school,” said Dima 39, a mother of two, a seven- year-old son, and a 13-year-old daughter.
In May 2022, UNICEF began rehabilitating the sewage network in Bab Sibaa. The project will be finished in November 2022.
“I feel sorry for my children. In addition to harsh winters, they are forced to go through mud and dirty water every morning while walking to school.”
UNICEF’s intervention includes excavation, installation of new pipelines, replacement of old pipes and construction of new manholes. “The existing sewage network is old and at a breaking point. In 2020, the sewage water reached the drinking water pipes and caused an immediate contamination. At the time, the issue was addressed promptly, and the problem was solved immediately with no further outbreaks,” said Engineer Hasan Alsaid. He works as a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene facilitator for UNICEF in Homs. “Five thousand meters of new pipes have already been installed in the neighbourhood,” he added.
In winter, when it rained, the situation used to get worse. Sanitation water flooded frequently, and the dirty water covered the roads. “There was no way for the children to escape the mud in winter. The roads are very narrow, so children used to reach their schools wet and upset,” said Angi, 25, an English teacher at a primary school in the area.
“There was no way for the children to escape the mud in winter. The roads are very narrow, so children used to reach their schools wet and upset,”
With the UNICEF -supported project, at least 40,000 people, 80 per cent of them women and children, will have access to good sanitation services.
“Every morning when I go to the bathroom to wash my face, I get irritated and sick because of the bad smell. I can’t wait till this project is finished,” explained seven-year-old Abed. He goes to school in the area.
“Having a good, functional sewage system is essential in preventing waterborne diseases”, clarified Modar Sibai. He is a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Officer at UNICEF’s Homs office. “It contributes incredibly to children`s health and wellbeing. It is the first line of defence in stopping serious outbreaks,” he added.
“Having a good, functional sewage system is essential in preventing waterborne diseases. It contributes incredibly to children`s health and wellbeing. It is the first line of defence in stopping serious outbreaks.”
UNICEF works to increase access to water, hygiene, and sanitation services in the conflict-affected areas. In 2022, UNICEF, with partners, has been able to reach more than 2,9 million people with safe and clean drinking water and more than 900,000 people with functional sewage networks.
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