Makhlouf, UN delegation discuss strengthening ability of local communities in Ghouta to face the challenges of climate change, water shortage

Engineer Hussein Makhlouf, Minister of Local Administration and Environment, discussed with representatives of United Nations organizations in Syria a project to strengthen the ability of the local communities in Eastern Ghouta to confront climate change and water shortages, through integrated management of natural resources and immediate adaptation interventions.

The project is being implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Human Settlements Program “Habitat” and the Food and Agriculture Organization “FAO”, as well as the Ministries of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform and Water Resources, the Planning and International Cooperation Authority, and the local community in the towns of Al-Mlaiha, Zabdin, Deir Al-Asafir and Marj Al-Sultan in Eastern Ghouta.

The project aims to enhance the capacity of the government institutions, local communities, and the most vulnerable groups in those towns and to evaluate, allocate, and manage natural resources in an effective and sustainable manner so as to be able to confront climate change, through the rehabilitation of irrigation channels and sewage networks through the establishment of a treatment plant, in addition to the rehabilitation of a number of wells and the use of smart farming applications.

Engineer Makhlouf explained that the project was the culmination of concerted efforts by national and international organizations seeking to develop natural resources and manage them scientifically, by strengthening the capabilities of the local community, supporting farmers, securing irrigation requirements, and removing pollution.

Minister Makhlouf stated that the project includes cleaning the irrigation canals, treating them to standard specifications, installing a modern irrigation network and investing in wells on solar energy.

Directors of the offices of international organizations in Syria stated that the project is the first to be funded by the program’s Syria Adaptation Fund, and it will provide more sustainable activities in the field of water, sanitation, land, and livestock by using safer methods to provide clean water.

During the meeting, the progress of work on the project, its scope of work, field surveys, technical and detailed studies of subsequent steps of the project were discussed.

NR