UNICEF Rep in Syria, on attacks and deliberate water cuts in Aleppo

23rd September 2016

DAMASCUS, 23 September 2016 – “Nearly 2 million people in Aleppo, Syria are once again with no running water through the public network.”

“Intense attacks last night have damaged the Bab al-Nayrab water pumping station which supplies water to some 250,000 people in the eastern parts of Aleppo. Violence is preventing repair teams from reaching the station. In retaliation, the Suleiman al Halabi pumping station, also located in the east, was switched off – cutting water to 1.5 million people in the western parts of the city.

“Depriving children of water puts them at risk of catastrophic outbreaks of waterborne diseases and adds to the suffering, fear and horror that children in Aleppo live through every day.

“In the eastern part of Aleppo, the population will have to resort to highly contaminated well water. In the western part, existing deep ground water wells will provide a safe alternative water source. UNICEF will also expand emergency water trucking throughout the city, but this is a temporary solution that is not sustainable in the long term.

“It is critical for children’s survival that all parties to the conflict stop attacks on water infrastructure, provide access to assess and repair damage to Bab al-Nayrab station, and switch the water back on at the Suleiman al-Halabi station”.

About UNICEF

Find our Syria appeal here.

UNICEF promotes the rights and well-being of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. UNICEF has been operating for 70 years.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

For more information

Kieran Dwyer, UNICEF Syria, +963 9 9 2 892 847, kdwyer@unicef.org

Juliette Touma, +962 79 867 4628, jtouma@unicef.org

Najwa Mekki, UNICEF New York, +1901 209 1804, nmekki@unicef.org

Help protect children
UNICEF | for every child

Stay Informed and Make a Difference

Add value to your inbox with inspiring updates on UNICEF's impactful work for children.

By signing up today you'll receive exclusive insights into the incredible difference you can make, programme updates, emergency appeals and unique opportunities to get involved.

Keep up-to-date on what's going on around the world. Sign up today!

You can update your communication preferences at any time. For further information please see our privacy policy.