The UNICEF placed water tanks on the main roads in the villages and districts of the Shehba canton to provide drinking water to the people of the region after the forced displacement of Afrin residents to Shehba due to the attacks of the invading Turkish state and its mercenaries. The existing wells in the region are not suitable for drinking water.

Since July 11, UNICEF has been providing drinking water to only a few water tanks 3 years after the occupation and amid an embargo by the Syrian government.

According to the Afrin Region Municipalities Committee, the amount of water, which was 2,400 cubic meters per day, has currently been reduced to 1000 cubic meters per day. Approximately 800 thousand people in 38 villages and 3 districts have been deprived of drinking water.

Speaking to ANHA, Afrin IDPs said that the UNICEF's decision is inhumane and against human rights.

'IT IS AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS'

Celal Mihemed said that UNICEF cut off the drinking water to the region 15 days ago without any justification. “Even a few days ago, the tanks were full of water, but now none of the tanks are filled. Well waters in Shehba region are not suitable for drinking water. It is only suitable for agriculture,” he said.

‘LACK OF WATER AGGRAVATES PROBLEMS’

 “We have been without water for 15 days. The high temperature makes it even harder. What is the sin of our children to be left without water? Apart from dust, the spread of diseases, environmental pollution, the closure of border crossings, the ban on medicine and fuel, they also cut off our drinking water. We can live without food. But how can one live without water?” Elya Cimo said.

‘THEY HELP REGIONS CONTROLLED BY TERRORIST GROUPS BUT THEY CUT OFF OUR WATER’

Niroz Murad condemned the treatment of international human rights organizations towards the Afrin IDPs in Shehba and the partnership of the Syrian government. “We were forcibly expelled from our houses due to the invasion of the Turkish state and its mercenaries. Moreover, the Syrian government is imposing an embargo. Organizations which promote so-called human rights cut off our drinking water.”

Murad noted that the international community acts hypocritically in its policies towards Afrin people. “While the border crossings remain open for the shipping of humanitarian aid in areas under the control of terrorist forces, North-East Syria is deprived of aid. At a crucial time when diseases and coronavirus are spreading, the Syrian government forces do not allow the shipping of medical equipment to the region. UNICEF pursues a hostile policy by cutting off the water.”

‘WHY DID THEY CUT OFF THE WATER AFTER THE EMBARGO?’

Ebdulrehman Shewqi said that UNICEF cut off the water in the region at a time when the embargo on Shehba has been intensified by the Syrian government. “We urge UNICEF to explain the reasons for this decision as soon as possible. The agency previously cleaned the water tanks every two months. But now the children are getting sick. Therefore, we call on the relevant authorities to intervene and reconsider the decision as soon as possible.”

‘UNICEF MUST REVIEW ITS DECISION’

Afrin Region Municipalities Committee Co-Chair Faiq Ehmed recalled that the Afrin IDPs have been living in camps and ruined houses for 3 years. “The people of the region need drinking water. However, 80,000 people have been deprived of water. We call on UNICEF to reconsider its decision and not to become an instrument of hostile policies towards the people of the region.”