Support Clean Water for Syrian Refugee Camps

Project Report:

Support Clean Water for Syrian IDPs Camps Overview

The Support Clean Water for Syrian IDPs Camps project aims to confront the critical shortage of clean and safe drinking water affecting displaced families living in camps across northern Syria. Limited access to potable water, combined with inadequate sanitation systems, has contributed to a rise in waterborne diseases and worsening health conditions among internally displaced persons (IDPs). The project prioritizes vulnerable groups, including widows, children, elderly individuals, and persons with disabilities, who are disproportionately impacted by the ongoing water crisis.

Progress and Current Status

HDF continues its efforts to mobilize support and prepare for full implementation of the project. The initiative is designed to provide 100 water tanks, install water purification systems, and deliver regular clean-water supplies to camps across Idlib and Aleppo. Preparations also include the development of hygiene-awareness materials and coordination with local teams to ensure safe and efficient delivery once funding is secured.

Although fundraising is still ongoing, initial coordination with community representatives and camp management has helped identify priority locations and households that will be reached once the project begins.

Beneficiary Story

One of the families assessed during the needs-identification phase consists of six members who fled the Aleppo countryside due to the conflict. They currently live in a makeshift tent in northern Idlib, lacking essential services, including access to clean water.
The father is undergoing treatment for cancer, and the mother, who suffers from diabetes, works only part-time due to her caregiving responsibilities. Their children—exposed to extreme temperatures, poor nutrition, and contaminated water—are at constant risk of illness.
This family has been registered to receive a water tank and scheduled clean-water deliveries once project implementation begins. Access to clean water will significantly reduce their health risks and improve their daily living conditions.

Expected Impact

Once funded and implemented, the project is expected to achieve the following:

1. Improved Health Outcomes

Reducing cases of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, hepatitis A, and parasitic infections among IDPs through access to clean and safe drinking water.

2. Enhanced Quality of Life

Reliable and consistent access to potable water will help ease the burden on vulnerable households, especially female-headed families and those caring for chronically ill members.

3. Strengthened Community Awareness

Hygiene promotion sessions will help families adopt preventive practices, supporting long-term community health and reducing medical expenses caused by contaminated water.

Next Steps

HDF is actively working to secure the required donations to launch procurement and distribution activities. Once funding is received, the project will immediately move forward with purchasing water tanks, installing purification units, and scheduling water deliveries to the targeted camps.

Overview
Since November 28, the escalation of hostilities in Syria has led to the internal displacement of approximately one million individuals, including 155,000 facing secondary displacement. Women and children make up the majority of the displaced, with nearly 50% being women and girls. Refugee camps in severely affected areas such as Aleppo, Hama, and Homs have seen a sharp rise in population, placing extreme pressure on already limited water and sanitation infrastructure.

Challenges
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees living in refugee camps face a growing crisis in accessing clean and safe water. Overcrowding, damaged infrastructure, and limited resources have left many families relying on unsafe water sources, significantly increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. Vulnerable groups—including children, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs)—are particularly at risk, facing daily challenges in accessing sufficient clean water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene. The situation is further exacerbated by economic hardship and environmental degradation.

Proposed Solution
Ufuk Horizon Development Foundation aims to implement a clean water support project across targeted refugee camps in northern Syria. The intervention includes:

Installation and maintenance of water tanks and filtration systems

Regular delivery of potable water

Distribution of hygiene kits to promote safe water use practices

Community awareness sessions on water conservation and hygiene

These efforts are designed to reduce the risk of disease, promote healthier living conditions, and ensure consistent access to clean water for the most vulnerable.

The project will be carried out with full transparency, with monitoring, beneficiary registration, and media documentation ensuring accountability at each stage.

Funding Status and Concerns
Unfortunately, a recent decline in fundraising has significantly impacted the project’s implementation timeline and scope. Without adequate funding, our capacity to provide clean water and hygiene support to vulnerable refugee families will be severely reduced. This shortfall may result in delays, decreased water delivery frequency, and a limited geographical reach—leaving many at risk of preventable health issues.

Call to Action
We call on donors, partners, and humanitarian supporters to join us in restoring this vital lifeline. With your support, we can ensure access to clean water for thousands of displaced families and protect communities from disease and further hardship. Every contribution helps us take a step closer to ensuring safe and dignified living conditions in refugee camps.

Conclusion
Though the project is currently on hold due to reduced funding, Ufuk Horizon remains fully committed to addressing the urgent clean water needs of displaced Syrian communities. We continue to engage potential donors and partners, and we stand ready to launch the project once the necessary resources are secured. Together, we can prevent a worsening public health crisis and bring hope and dignity to those who need it most.