UN-Habitat addresses climate vulnerability in Syria

Damascus 27 June 2023 – Climate change impacts are increasing in Syria given the increasing temperatures, successive years of drought and projected reduction of precipitation. In response, UN-Habitat and partners are targeting four municipalities suffering from drought and water scarcity in Eastern Ghouta, Rural Damascus, seeking to enhance the adaptive capacities of the government as well as local communities to climate change.

The project, aiming to strengthen capacities of national and subnational government institutions, local communities and vulnerable groups to assess, plan and manage water and land challenges induced by climate change and the Syrian crisis, was launched in October 2021. Following the launch, UN-Habitat implemented a series of consultations with the community and local administrative authorities and conducted damage assessment of water and sanitation networks, irrigation canals and solid waste.

Sahar Kattat, an engineer who participated in an interactive workshop held under the project, commented: “This workshop was very beneficial for us because it gave us the chance to set the priorities of our municipality, such as the need for alternative energy sources to help in generating water and electricity in residential areas and agricultural lands to help in irrigation, in addition to rehabilitating water networks and sewage.”

The project, supported by the Adaptation Fund and implemented by UN-Habitat, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Fund and the Food and Agriculture Organization, contributes to increasing access to efficient, sustainable and resilient water supply systems at the municipal and community levels for urban and agricultural purposes. Innovative and replicable technologies are used to increase the resilience of water-dependent livelihoods and income security. 

The eleven-year crisis in Syria has led to the destruction of water wells and water treatment plants or making them out of service. These issues deepened the vulnerability of the population in Eastern Ghouta.

“Mitigating climate change is also very important at this challenging time; this project will change our lives,” Kattat said.

UN-Habitat, UNDP and FAO are jointly working to support integrated management of natural resources, restoration of water treatment plants and adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices to enhance communities’ livelihood and resilience in Eastern Ghouta.