OCHA voices concern over cholera outbreak in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Wednesday, OCHA said that cholera outbreak in Syria comes in tandem with water shortage, that is a result of low water levels in the Euphrates River.
On October 14, World Health Organization (WHO) recorded 15,823 suspected cases of cholera, 807 confirmed ones, and 68 deaths across the country.
“Water infrastructure has also been destroyed or damaged, leaving people reliant on unsafe water sources,” OCHA said in a briefing.
In Hasakah, there continues to be a critical water shortage, because Alouk water station has not operated since August 11, according to the report.
Turkey and Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, also known as Syrian National Army (SNA), have been cutting water pumped from Alouk water station in the countryside of the city of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) for nearly two months.
Alouk station has been controlled by Turkey and the SNA, since the Turkish invasion of 2019.
Since then, Turkey has cut off water to Hasakah Governorate, northeastern Syria, more than 27 times, according to official statements of Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).
About a month ago, Turkey has cut off drinking water to Hasakah, depriving all the city’s residents of water ever since.
The report also added that there is lack of cholera supplies, including medicines, water, sanitation and hygiene supplies.
In addition, the report mentioned the clashes that took place in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo Governorate, claiming the lives of civilians and displacing people.
Afrin has been under the occupation of Turkey since March 2018 following a military operation called “Olive Branch” which resulted in the displacement of about 300.000 people of the original inhabitants of the city and its countryside.
Recently, the areas held by the SNA factions witnessed unrest due to clashes with Hamza Division on the back of killing an activist and his wife at the hand of the division’s militants.
OCHA said, quoting local sources, “a child and two women have been killed and at least 30 civilians were injured, including three children and seven women.”
In addition, more than 6.300 people fled their homes, and food, shelter and other supplies are urgently needed to help these newly displaced people, according to the report.