Turkish occupation and its mercenaries still depriving Hasaka of drinking water, UNICEF warns against ramifications

Damascus/Hasaka, SANA – The Turkish occupation forces and their terrorist mercenaries continued cutting off water from Hasaka city and its population centers for the third day in a row.

In a statement to SANA’s reporter on Tuesday, Director of Hasaka Water Department Mahmoud al-Ukla said the Turkish occupation forces and its mercenaries are still cutting off drinking water from Hasaka, putting the lives of around 600,000 people at risk.

He said that the occupation and its mercenaries prevented work teams from resuming operations in Alouk water station, and that emergency measures are being pursued t provide water to locals.

On a relevant note, UNICEF Representative in Syria Fran Equiza said in a statement that the interruption of the water supply from the Alouk water station “during the current efforts to curb the spread of the Coronavirus disease puts children and families at unacceptable risk. Handwashing with soap is critical in the fight against COVID-19.”

Equiza said that the station is the main source of water for around 460,000 people in Hasaka city and nearby population centers, stressing that “uninterrupted, reliable access to safe water is essential to ensure children and families in the area don’t have to resort to unsafe water sources.”

“Water and water facilities must not be used for military or political gains – when they do, children are the first and most to suffer,” Equiza stated.

Hazem Sabbagh

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