The emergency assistance for flood damagep in Zaatari camp

The second winter has come since JEN started its support in Zaatari camp and the host communities in Jordan.

The rain season and winter come at the same time in this country. Jordan tends to be brought up the image of a hot and dry weather, but to our surprise, sometimes it snows in winter. Due to the snow storm that continued for three days in mid-December 2013, the transportation system was entirely paralyzed in Amman.

【JEN`s car covered with snow in front of AMMAN Office】

While it was severely snowing in Amman, heavy rain poured on Zaatari , 50 km east  of Amman. Although precipitation is limited and rain is a precious water resource in Jordan, this rain caused flood damages in Zaatari camp and therefore, Syrian refugees’ dwellings were submerged.

【a huge puddle caused by the gutter for constructing a road】

JEN started the emergency assistance in cooperation with UNHCR and other INGOs to mitigate the flood damage caused by the rain in Zaatari camp. The caravans and tents were badly immersed in the various sizes of puddles formed by this rain. Another concern that emerged was the danger caused by the electricity cables in addition to the deterioration of hygienic environment.

【JEN`s staff desludging the stagnating rain water using a sump pump discharge hose】

On the next day of when it started raining, JEN immediately allocated 5 trucks which possess sump pump and a tank with a capacity of pumping around 16㎥ of water. Almost 1228㎥ of stagnating water had been taken out of the camp, and more than 20 of JEN staff had managed the operation. Two more trucks were prepared in case the situation worsened.

【the truck allocated in the area submerged by muddy water】

【The nozzle is put in a puddle to vacuum up stagnating water】

In addition, JEN established an emergency hotline for all WASH Committees so that they can inform JEN of the puddles which have risks of causing electric shocks. This hotline helped to spot out the exact location and the situations of puddles in the camp as well.

【Over the nozzle, the power line submerged in rain water】

JEN’s hygiene promoters and community mobilizers have also been playing important roles in preventing residences from flood damages. The WASH Committees received the distribution of shovels and pickaxes in advance as weather forecast had announced heavy rain. These tools are used for digging trenches around caravans and tents to protect them against flooding water. The hygiene promoters and the community mobilizers went on house-to- house visits, informing and advising refugees about the availability of the tools in addition to instructing them on the proper usage of the tools.

【This emergency operation was possible thanks to the Japanese Government】

Winter season in Jordan has begun and is expected to last for three more months. JEN’s teams are consistently supporting the Syrian refugees by providing proper and immediate assistances in order to help them live their lives safely.

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