Water Minister Meets Norwegian Delegation

Damascus, (ST) – Minister of Water Resources Dr. Kamal Sheikh met here recently with the Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egland and his accompanying delegation. The two sides discussed the role of donor organizations in the implementation of the necessary projects in sanitation, drinking water sector and ways to develop cooperation between the two sides.

Dr. Sheikha praised the efforts exerted by the delegation in the relief field in Syria, expressing that the ministry is ready to cooperate with any donor seeking to work in water, sanitation and assistance in the sector of water. He indicated his Ministry’s commitment to build bridges of communication and coordination with donor organizations to implement the emergency plan carried out by the Ministry in accordance with the priorities. The Minister expressed hope for future cooperation after the end of the crisis.

Dr. Sheikha pointed to the areas of cooperation through the provision of mechanical and electrical necessary equipment for pumping stations and wells in addition to the sterilization of drinking water materials.

For his part, Egeland expressed the organization’s interest to work in thefield of relief in Syria and to extend helping hand to the Syrian people in water, sanitation, education and food, explaining that the organization is now in the process of obtaining the necessary approvals from the specialized authorities to work in the field of relief in Syria.

He also pointed to the possibility of working within a joint team of foreign and national expertise and the need to develop studies and perceptions of initial projects and the commitment on time to be accomplished optimally in preparation for the establishment of a permanent and future framework work with the ministry through coordination with the Foreign Ministry and the Supreme Committee for Relief.

Present at the meeting were the Regional Director of the Norwegian Council, Carsten Hans, and Head of the team at the Norwegian Council, Anna Cervi, a number of technicians and specialists in the ministry.

Sharif al Khatib