A center for documenting violations in Deir-ez-Zor has issued a distress call to save 150,000 civilians from an expected humanitarian disaster as civilian districts under regime control continue to endure a lack of clean water which started 10 days ago.
The center said that regime forces controlling these districts say they have run out of the mazout gas needed to power the filtering plants and pump water into the districts. The area has two plants and a pump, the first in the town of Bagheeliyeh, which cannot be reached as it lies in an area targeted by ISIS snipers, while the second is located in the entrance to the Joura district near the “Seventh Brigade,” which has not been operational since May 13.
Local civilians depend on water drawn from newly dug wells, despite specialists claiming it is unsuitable for drinking. Additionally, the amounts drawn form the ground are not enough to cover the needs of all residents, especially as summer approaches, increasing water consumption by 250 percent.
The center warned about the possibility of cases of dehydration and diarrhea among children, as well as cholera, hepatitis and intestinal infections among the elderly. It called on international agencies of the Untied Nations to supply the only filtering plant and pump in these districts with the necessary fuel to work, and at maximum speed.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
