New sewage system to be installed in the UAE-funded Za’atari refugee camp

Set to be in operation by the end of the year, the project, run by the UN Refugee Agency, follows the successful implementation of healthcare systems for people in the Za’atari and Azraq camps this year.

Labourers carry out work on a project funded by the UAE to improve water, sanitation and hygiene for Syrian refugees in the Zaatari camp in Jordan. Courtesy UNCHR
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ABU DHABI // A sewerage system is to be installed in the UAE-funded Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan that will alleviate months of health and pest problems for the more than 80,000 Syrians who live there.

“We are working tirelessly to alleviate the conditions of Syrian refugees and make a difference in their lives,” said Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development.

“Every effort counts and the UAE is proud to play its role in helping others. I hope that funding the water, sanitation and hygiene project will help in creating a safe living environment.”

The water system, scheduled to be in operation by the end of the year, will help curb the spread of diseases and improve health standards at the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) run camp, officials said.

“You can’t imagine what the situation is like without proper sanitation,” said Dalia El Fiki, senior public information assistant at the UNHCR office in Abu Dhabi.

“There are mosquitoes, flies and other factors that threaten the refugees’ health. This contribution provides dignity and improved health.”

Without the system, she said, the risk of airborne and waterborne diseases increases significantly.

The project will be implemented in two phases. The first will provide sewage collection for each household at Zaatari, while the second will include piping that will take sewage from communal tanks to a waste water treatment plant.

nalwasmi@thenational.ae