A representative from the Water for Rojava Committee participated in World Water Week, a prominent global event focused on water issues, held in Stockholm from 25-29 August 2024.
This year’s theme, Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future, resonated deeply with the mission of the campaign, which advocates against the weaponisation of water in the ongoing Syrian conflict, particularly in North-East Syria.
In North-East Syria, the Alouk water station, one of the key water infrastructure of the region, has faced deliberate obstructions for years, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian situation. Additionally, attacks on electrical and water infrastructure by Turkish armed forces, which peaked at the beginning of 2024, have severely affected access to water, impacting 1.4 million people.
Throughout the week, the Water for Rojava Committee representative participated in various workshops and seminars focused on the intersections of conflict, water management, and peace-building. These sessions provided a platform for robust discussions on the critical need for collaborative efforts in ensuring access to safe water in conflict-affected areas.
Engaging with other participants, the representative raised awareness about the urgent water needs in North-East Syria, sharing firsthand accounts of the challenges faced by local communities and the continuous use of water as a weapon. This testimony was critically important, especially considering that the Syrian conflict was seldom mentioned during the conference, even in events focused on water and conflict, as most attention was directed toward more recently escalated wars such as those in Gaza and Ukraine. This underscores the necessity of ongoing efforts to shine a light on the situation in North-East Syria.
Participation in World Water Week also provided an opportunity to present the plans of Water for Rojava to various stakeholders, including international NGOs and institutions, of launching a campaign to advocate for the full restoration of operations at the Alouk Water Station, the cessation of attacks on water infrastructure in North-East Syria, and the overall end to the weaponisation of water.
Pictures by Water for Rojava
