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Season 1, Episode 3

Thirst for life

Supplying water in a desert

VIDEO

Between Lives: S1E3 - Thirst for life

Thirst for life

See how UNHCR delivers water to thousands of people like Abdul and Farida’s family in Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan.

Experience the logistical challenge of providing water and sanitation for approximately 80,000 people living in the middle of a desert.

Did you know?

How do you provide water to thousands of families in the middle of a desert?

With a population of approximately 80,000 people, Za’atari refugee camp is basically a city that sprang up overnight. There are no rivers, lakes or streams near Za’atari, so providing water for thousands of families like Abdul and Farida’s is a massive logistical challenge.

Your monthly support means that UNHCR can deliver clean water to people like Abdul and Farida. With water, they can not only survive, but start to thrive too.

Meet the Family

Before war broke out, Abdul, Farida and their children lived in Dara’a, Syria. They ran a small supermarket from their home, grew their own produce and all the children attended school. Life was good – until the war ripped their lives apart.

After losing friends and neighbors to the conflict, the family realized that they had to flee their home to survive. They left their business, their beautiful home and everything they knew to find safety.

Abdul said: “What should I say? It’s impossible to stay the same after what we’ve seen. I feared for my children. They were all targets, wherever they were. Even schools were not safe anymore. When the bombing happened at her school, my daughter Nada saw her friend blown into pieces. Little children are seen as potential ‘terrorists’ so they get killed. How can I see people I know die in front of me, and not change? It’s impossible. The situation has forever changed. If I go back to my town now, I won’t recognize it.”

“Staying in Syria was not an option. If we had stayed we would have been facing death. So we came to Jordan.”

“Life in Za’atari is tough, but my children are safe. And we have been here for a long time and conditions are improving. The camp has rescued me and my children. How would we have survived any longer in Syria, when I cannot run or find a safe place to hide?”

I want to Help

Facts & Figures

9 gallons — amount of water required per person per day

20 — average number of trucks delivering water each day

352 — number of communal showers

477 — number of communal taps

3 internal water wells established in 2016 have a combined daily capacity of approximately 1 million gallons

Wastewater treatment plant has a capacity of 951,000 gallons per day

See the whole story

Follow Abdul, Farida and their children as they navigate life in Za’atari Camp, Jordan. Watch the whole series now.

Help Refugee Families

War, violence and persecution have forced millions of families from their homes. They urgently need shelter, protection and safety. You can help rush critical supplies like medicine, clean water, food and tents to desperate children and families. You can provide refugees with emergency support, long-term care and hope for the future.