Damascus Water Shortage Risks Pandemic

Toronto, ON-  UOSSM is deeply concerned with the water shortage in Damascus which puts 4 million civilians at great risk.

The two primary sources of drinking water- Wadi Barada and Ain-el-Fijah which provide water for 70 percent of the population of Damascus, were attacked and heavily damaged. They have not been operational since December 22.

The lack of water and price gouging of commercially available water (reports as high as 5000 Syrian Pound per litre) are forcing a large percentage of the population to drink substandard water. There is  a significant risk of a water borne disease pandemic; microbial parasites, typhoid, hepatitis and cholera. The  current medical infrastructure is not equipped to handle a pandemic of this scale.

UOSSM urges the international community to immediately provide water, sanitation and hygiene aid to the people of Damascus. We also strongly condemn using water, a basic human need, as a weapon.

UOSSM (Union des Organisations de Secours et Soins Médicaux) provides free medical aid to the people of Syria regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion or political affiliation. UOSSM international, founded by Syrian Doctors around the world,  started in 2012 and operates 12 major hospitals and supports 120 clinics inside Syria. UOSSM has performed over 1,000,000 medical treatments inside Syria since inception.