2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.05.030
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Weaponizing water as an instrument of war in Syria: Impact on diarrhoeal disease in Idlib and Aleppo governorates, 2011–2019

Abstract: Investigate the weaponization of water during the Syrian conflict and the correlation of attacks on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in Idlib and Aleppo governorates with trends in waterborne diseases reported by Early Warning and Response surveillance systems. Methods: We reviewed literature and databases to obtain information on attacks on WASH in Aleppo and Idlib governorates between 2011 and 2019. We plotted weekly trends in waterborne diseases from two surveillance systems operational … Show more

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Cited by 22 publications
(29 citation statements)
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“…Similar events and ndings were reported by Abbara et al in their investigation into the weaponization of water in northwest Syria in Aleppo and Idlib governorates, with the majority of events occurring in the main cities (Abbara et al, 2021).…”
Section: Discussionsupporting
confidence: 86%
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“…Similar events and ndings were reported by Abbara et al in their investigation into the weaponization of water in northwest Syria in Aleppo and Idlib governorates, with the majority of events occurring in the main cities (Abbara et al, 2021).…”
Section: Discussionsupporting
confidence: 86%
“…That 80% of disease reports were "other acute diarrhoea" deserves some attention to ensure accurate reporting of the case de nitions for acute bloody and acute watery diarrhoea by health workers. An overall upwards trend of WBDs, with seasonal peaks in the late summer, was observed throughout the whole region, corresponding to trends reported in northwest Syria (Abbara et al, 2021). However, considerable variability in trends and median weekly levels of WBDs were observed in different districts.…”
Section: Disease and Surveillance Datasupporting
confidence: 77%
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“…Water is another valuable natural resource that has also been weaponised in conflicts, especially in drier environments. In Syria, all major parties have weaponised water in order to control or to inflict damage on their opponents (Abbara et al 2021). For example, ISIS (Islamic State) is responsible for the deliberate contamination of drinking water to expand their control over the populations, the government of Syria bombed eight water facilities over the summer of 2019 and the Free Syrian Army captured and controlled a spring in 2014 to control the water provision of Damascus with the goal of having leverage in negotiations.…”
Section: Targeting and Resilience Of Agrarian Societies In Civil Warsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Given the vast humanitarian needs for most of Syria's population, (whether they are IDPs or host communities), some in the health and humanitarian sector challenge the utility of defining and exploring IDPs as a unified group, particularly given their heterogeneity. However, to counter this, it is noted that IDPs may face additional vulnerabilities over and above those experienced by other vulnerable populations in Syria related to the reasons for forced displacement, ongoing violence and insecurity, inadequate living conditions, poor WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene ( Abbara et al., 2021 )) as well as other risks including that of communicable diseases outbreaks and SGBV (Sexual and Gender Based Violence ( Cantor et al., 2021 ).) This does not detract from the vulnerabilities faced by the majority of the Syrian population of whom more than 80% live below the poverty line and more than 12.4 million people are food insecure (an increase from 7.9 million in 2020 ( CCCM Cluster 2022 )).…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%