Clearing the way for safer communities: Restoring access to water and livelihoods in rural Damascus

According to DRC assessments in Rural Damascus, Dar’a, Idlib, and Hama, 64% of households reported areas they no longer access due to fear of contamination, with 70% of these areas being agricultural land. EO contamination threatens communities’ access to fertile land, water resources, and livelihoods.

This remains one of the key risks facing residents of the village of Deir Khabiyeh in Rural Damascus, where agriculture continues to be a primary source of income. As part of DRC’s ongoing land release efforts, Non-Technical Survey teams identified EO items submerged in an agricultural irrigation channel near the village.

This threat posed a significant risk to community members, particularly farmers who rely on those canals to irrigate their land and provide water for their livestock. In addition to the direct physical threat to civilians, the submerged projectiles also risked damaging critical irrigation infrastructure and disrupting access to water.  

Before the conflict, the irrigation canal was widely used by surrounding communities for irrigation, livestock watering, and daily access to water. Due to the presence of EO contamination, many community members avoided the area, while others continued to access the canal despite the risks due to lack of viable alternatives.

In some cases, families and farmers were forced to travel longer distances to access alternative water sources, resulting in increased fuel costs, additional time spent, and reduced efficiency in agricultural and livelihood activities. 

“After engaging with the community, they had a clearer understanding of our work. They started reporting explosive ordnance to us and requesting awareness sessions.”

Razan, NTS/EORE Team Leader, DRC Syria 

The work of DRC's Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) teams demonstrates that HMA is not only a protection intervention but also a critical enabler of economic recovery, livelihoods, and community resilience.

It underscores the importance of continued clearance and response efforts to protect civilian populations, restore safe access to essential infrastructure and water sources, support agricultural activities and livelihoods, and strengthen the resilience and recovery of Syria's communities in the face of ongoing EO contamination threats.