AANES warns of crisis after suspension of water in camps in Aleppo
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – An official of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) said on Saturday the situation in camps for IDPs from Afrin Region, northwestern Syria, worsened after UNICEF suspended provision of water amid concerns of spread of diseases.
Mahmoud Rashid, co-chair of the AANES’ Municipality Board in the northern countryside of Aleppo, said since the massive displacement from Afrin UNICEF has gradually reduced the quantity of water provided to IDPs in the camps, as well as in the town of Tel Rifaat and surrounding villages in the north of Aleppo.
On Feb. 15, UNICEF suspended provision of water to the camps. Shortly afterwards, the AANES issued a statement expressing its shock about UNICEF’s decision and called the organization to reconsider it.
Two years ago, UNICEF completely suspended provision of water to IDPs who did not live in the camps and reduced the quantity of water provided for camps to half.
Rashid stated that days earlier UNICEF completely cut water off without clarifying the reason behind its decision.
He told North Press that four camps, Afrin, Shahba, Sardam, and Barkhodan, where 2500 families are currently residing need 850 cubic meters of water per day.
Unfortunately, the Board lacks the resources to provide water to the IDPs, he added. There is a severe drought in the region because there are no wells, which significantly impact the conditions in the camp, Rashid pointed out.
Rashid warned about a humanitarian catastrophe, emphasizing the potential spread of diseases such as cholera and leishmaniasis. He called on humanitarian and relief organizations to exert pressure on UNICEF to reconsider its decision and resume provision of water to the IDPs in the northern countryside of Aleppo.