Amid harsh climatic conditions where temperatures exceeded 35°C and humidity levels rose significantly, the first day of the project to provide potable water in displacement camps began. The extreme heat and oppressive humidity have compounded the suffering of families, especially children and the elderly, and made access to clean water a daily challenge that threatens health and safety.
Six potable water trucks were supplied by ETA, and today they began distributing water rations directly inside displacement camps. Each truck is loaded with thousands of liters of treated water that meets drinking water standards, to reach as many families as possible who are suffering from an almost complete cutoff of water sources. Field distribution teams have been working since the early morning hours to organize the collection process, with priority given to families that include children, patients, and the elderly. The goal of the first phase is to secure the minimum needs for drinking and basic use, and to ease the burden on families who are forced to walk long distances under the sun in search of water.
Children who should be living their childhood and playing safely have found themselves bearing unbearable burdens. Standing in lines for hours, carrying jerrycans, and the fear of running out of water have become part of their daily lives. Be Human believes that the most basic human right is the right to water, and the right for a child to live a normal childhood like children around the world.
At the conclusion of the first day of the project, an activity for children was organized inside one of the camps. The activity included distributing sweets and simple toys, and messages reminding them of their right to play, to safety, and to live with dignity. It was an attempt to restore a part of the childhood that war conditions had taken from them, and to affirm that they have not been forgotten.
The 6-truck project is a first step within a broader response to address the water crisis. In the coming days, work will continue to expand the scope of distribution, while continuing to monitor temperatures and humidity and adjust distribution plans to ensure water reaches people during peak times with the greatest possible efficiency.
