In February 2023, earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria affected close to 18 million people, killed over 55,000 and injured hundreds of thousands of people. The areas impacted in northwest Syria in particular, where approximately 7,000 people died, were already experiencing the negative effects of conflict in the region, making this earthquake occurrence even more devastating financially, emotionally and in regards to health. One year later, Episcopal Relief & Development is still working with local partners to help residents recover.
In Soran, Syria, the earthquake destroyed two existing water tanks that supplied water to the entire city. This meant that tens of thousands of people no longer had access to clean water, preventing them from safely cooking or taking care of themselves, and increasing the risk of contracting a disease.
As part of long-term earthquake recovery efforts, in partnership with International Blue Crescent (IBC), Episcopal Relief & Development has supported the construction of a solar-powered water pump that will provide safe water to over 35,000 people in Soran. IBC’s team of engineers worked closely with the community members and local officials to restore the old reservoir affected by the earthquake, construct a new tank and install solar panels to power the water pump that fills the water tanks. This intervention has created a sustainable water source for Soran and its solar-powered ability will be useful in the immediate stages of a future disaster that may cause power outages.
This new development is one of many next steps to create resilience. Speaking of the project, Heather Sonya Üner, Program and Partnerships Manager, IBC said, “The people of Soran are now more resilient to future disasters, and indeed future disasters have been averted with the installation of the water tanks and solar-operated pumps.” She added, “As there is widespread harm caused by waterborne illnesses already affecting many vulnerable communities of Northwest Syria, this supply of potable water bolsters the community of Soran in terms of health and resilience to future shocks.”
