Schools struggle without clean water
UNICEF provides students in remote areas in Deir ez-Zor with clean and safe water
Rural Deir ez-Zor: “The water pumping stations, providing water to northern and eastern villages of Deir ez-Zor governorate, have been badly affected by the severe electricity shortages.” explained Mohamad, 50. He is the principal in the Hatla Al Wosta school in Hatla village in rural Deir ez-Zor.” We didn’t have enough clean water in schools in this area and our students struggled with the problem,” he added.
Most of the water resources people use here are not safe. It is a huge risk.
Some 60 per cent of population in Deir ez-Zor rely on alternative unsafe water sources. It adds another risk to families’ and children’ health and wellbeing, especially with the spread of cholera. The scarcity of water forces people sometimes to rely on water from the river, brought by trucks. “Most of the water resources people use here are not safe. It is a huge risk,” said Hasan, 30. He is the principal in the Al Waha Al-Hussainia school, in Al-Hussainia village, in rural Deir ez-Zor.
In 2022, UNICEF supported 83 schools in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate by providing them with a total of 150,000 litres of clean and safe water on daily basis. “Clean water increases hygiene practices in schools. It helps to protect children’s health and alleviate the families’ financial burden. Families used to purchase clean water for their children,” explained Engineer Mogher Al Mogher, UNICEF’s water and sanitation facilitator.
“Water trucking to schools reduces health problems and minimize financial burdens that parents will bear to treat their children in case they get sick,” said Mohamad, explaining the importance of having access to clean water in schools.
“I know that I have to wash my hands regularly to get rid of germs and dirt. It is how we protect ourselves from cholera and COVID-19,” said Bayan, 9, in Hatla Al Wosta school.
In 2022, UNICEF reached over 55,500 students in 126 schools in Deir ez-Zor and Rural Damascus governorates with clean and safe water by water trucking assistance. This activity was supported by Government of Denmark and United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund.
