HOMS, Syria (North Press) – The water crisis affecting several villages in the eastern Homs countryside, Syria, has entered its fourth week, amid neglect of government authorities.
Resident report that previously, they received water only three times a day, for a period of ten minutes to a half an hour each time.
Jaber Dawood, a resident of the town of Jeb Abbas in the Mukhram sub-district, told North Press, “During the past week, we received water only once, for a quarter of an hour.”
The village of Jeb Abbas, 33 kilometers east of the city of Homs, has a population of about 2,000 people. The surrounding towns and villages have witnessed violent battles throughout the years of the Syrian war.
Ahmed, a farmer from the village of Jeb Abbas, complained about the water problem in his village.
He pointed out that the water cutoff doesn’t only affect vineyards and olive and almond groves, but also their daily lives.
Jamal Aynati, an Officer in the Water Directorate, told North Press that a water rationing program will bring water to the region every three days.
He added that the reason for the cutoff is poor water pressure and electricity cuts to villages in the area.
Eight villages in Mukhram sub-district, including Jeb Abbas, are fed by the Shaokatliya, Muwaiya, and Marigha projects for supplying drinking water.
Aynati indicated that the Electricity Directorate in Homs cannot supply the region with electricity by relying on oil.
Samer Abdullah, a resident of the village, said, “in order to supply the area with drinking water, it is better to dig several wells.”
Ha added that it is unreasonable to buy drinking water from water tanks for SYP 10,000.
Abdullah further explained that the water they bought was sometimes undrinkable, so they were forced to buy mineral water, adding an extra financial burden.
Residents of Jeb Abbas complain about the power cuts concurrent with the times at which water is pumped, which prevents them from obtaining the water.
Residents say that they have submitted several complaints to the concerned authorities, but have not received any response yet.