UN welcomes reports of agreements on water supply in Wadi Barada, Syria

The United Nations said Friday that it welcomes the reports that an agreement regarding water supply has been reached in Wadi Barada, Syria.

Eri Kaneko, associate spokesperson for UN Secretary-Gereral Antonio Guterres, cited the latest information received as saying, that Syrian Government and Syria Arab Red Crescent (SARC) technical teams entered the area Friday to carry out a damage assessment of water sources and infrastructure at the Al-Fiji spring site, with a view to repairing the facility as soon as possible.

Some 4 million people living in Damascus have been deprived of water since Dec. 22 last year due to ongoing fighting in the Wadi Barada area where much of the city's water supply originates.

The UN team is following up with the water authority and the Red Crescent and stands ready to enter the area and provide additional support to ensure the swift repair of the water infrastructure, said Kaneko.

The UN calls on all parties to ensure unrestricted and sustained access in order to restore the provision of water, which is essential for the survival and well-being of the civilian population, she said.

In the meantime, the water authorities continue to implement the emergency plan to meet around 30 percent of the daily needs of Damascus city residents on a rotational basis until water infrastructure is restored to its previous capacity.

Also, the UN and partners continue to respond to the 15,000 people displaced as a result of fighting in and around Wadi Barada. The Red Crescent, a humanitarian nonprofit organization working in the Syrian Civil War and is engaged in evacuation of people from war torn region to other places, the UN and NGOs are responding to the needs of the displaced with winterization kits, blankets, sleeping bags, mattresses, kitchen sets and other emergency assistance, said Kaneko. Endit