What Syrian refugees really need: water, sanitation, hygiene

As part of a multi-activity project funded by the United Arab Emirates to improve the overall water, sanitation and hygiene conditions for Syrian refugees in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD) and UNHCR announced that work in progress to establish a full-scale waste-water and drainage with a system in the camp.

With the official breaking of ground, it is envisaged that the project will be completed by the end of 2015. The water, sanitation and hygiene project follows the successful implementation of a UAE-funded health project which provided primary, secondary and tertiary health care for Syrian refugees in both the Zaatari and Azraq camps.

The project, which is the first of its kind in the camp, aims at establishing an appropriate drainage system with a dedicated water tank for the diversion of excess water to prevent over-flooding and to be utilised in agricultural activities. The installation of the water system in the camp will have a substantial impact on curbing the spread of diseases, and raising general health standards.

"We have been in constant coordination with our partners, both locally and internationally, who are working tirelessly to alleviate the conditions of Syrian refugees, and making a positive difference in their lives. Every effort counts, and the UAE is proud to step up and play its role in helping others," said Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the Minister of International Cooperation and Development. "I hope that the funding of the water, sanitation and hygiene project will help in creating a safe living environment." Sheikha Lubna added.

"The UAE Government continues to demonstrate a resolute commitment towards alleviating the suffering of Syrian refugees uprooted by the conflict," said Dr. Nabil Othman, UNHCR’s Acting Regional Representative to the GCC Countries. Lauding the important role played by the UAE government, he added "The government’s generous contributions towards critical infrastructure projects for water, health and sanitation have already had a substantial impact on the general health and well-being of the refugee population in Za’atari camp," Othman added.

The first phase of this project will provide sewage collection for each refugee household in Za’atari camp. The sewage collection system construction will connect each household to piping that carries sewage to a communal tank within the block areas. Phase 2 will include a network of piping that will convey sewage from these communal tanks to the wastewater treatment plant.

Already-completed activities related to this project, include the processing and disposal of medical waste from the major health clinic in Za’atari camp which resulted in the overall disposal of 21,160 KG of medical waste in 2014. Similarly, vector control sweeps were conducted in Za’atari camp which served to reduce the rodent population in the camp and the associated threats they pose to health and hygiene in the camp.

This is part of a total contribution of AED 18 million made by the UAE government to UNHCR, made in early 2014, to relieve the suffering of Syrian refugees in Zaatari and Azraq camps in Jordan. Of the AED 18 million, AED 7 million was allocated to health activities while the remaining amount was distributed to water and sanitation activities. –End-

Image by: www.wam.ae