Syrian-Qatari Talks to Develop Syria’s Drinking Water Reality

The Minister of Water Resources in the caretaker government, engineer Osama Abu Zeid, discussed with the head of the Qatar Red Crescent mission, Mazen Abdullah Salloum, ways and mechanisms to rehabilitate some of the destroyed stations, and work on preparing studies to rehabilitate them and develop their infrastructure in order to improve the reality of water while aiming to adopt the use of renewable energy.

During the meeting held today at the building of the Ministry of Water Resources, Minister Abu Zeid stressed that the ministry is working on developing networks and securing electrical and operational energy to operate some of the completely stopped stations. It also activated the planning and studies directorates to establish a central bank of information on the necessary needs in various governorates.

Minister Abu Zeid pointed to the challenges facing the water sector, most notably the sanctions imposed on Syria, the damage to infrastructure, as well as the severe shortage of mechanical and electrical equipment necessary for the operation of the plants.

For his part, the Head of the Qatari Red Crescent Mission expressed his desire to sign agreements aimed at improving the reality of drinking water in Syrian pumping water stations and replacing diesel engines with solar panels. He also wished to cooperate with the Ministry of Water Resources to assess needs and update data, ensuring an effective response to continued access and sustainability of drinking water, as well as the establishment of water purification plants and the rehabilitation of water systems.