Safe water for families living through war and earthquake

Syria | CERF | 2024

Northwest Syria. “The water situation was tragic,” recalls Mustafa, who is living in a displacement camp in Northwest Syria since fleeing fighting many years ago.

It was always expensive to get safe water here. But in February 2023, the earthquakes dealt a further blow, crippling vital water infrastructure. Mustafa, his wife and children, and their neighbours remained without water for three straight weeks. 

“We had to gather multiple families to afford a full tank together. We simply couldn’t afford it. If there weren’t enough families to chip in, the vendor just wouldn’t come to refill the tank,” he explained. 

Mustafa’s camp, like many others, faced prolonged water shortages due to earthquake damage to a crucial elevated water tank.

But amid the despair, they remained hopeful. 

With funding support from CERF and others, the International Organization for Migration and its Syrian partners rebuilt three elevated water tanks, restoring the clean water for over 67,500 people, including Mustafa and his family. 

Now, they have access to safe water every day – easing at least one daily worry. 

Posted November 2024

Based on an original story from IOM Syria (published March 2024).

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