Zorava Resident Details Impact of Access to Clean Water

It is shocking to think in 2022 that there are still people in the world who do not have access to clean water – but this is a reality for many people all over the world. Potable water has always been difficult to come by in the Sinjar region of Iraq, but ISIS’ targeted destruction of clean water infrastructure has made access even more difficult for returning residents.

Shahraban Elias from Zorava village remembers the horrors of ISIS’ attack on Sinjar in 2014. She remembers losing family members, the fear she felt, and fleeing from her home.

But she also remembers the relief and happiness she felt when she was finally able to return to her home in Zorava. Yet, that happiness quickly turned to concern as she and others realized the extent of the damage done to their village.

“One of the biggest challenges was lack of water because it is one of the basic and necessary needs in life,” Shahraban tells Nadia’s Initiative. “Not only for drinking, but for bathing, preparing food, and cleaning the house. Many people were waiting for services, including water, to be available in order to return to their villages.”

To the Yazidis of Sinjar, clean water is the foundation of health, agricultural livelihoods, and the ability to return home. One of Nadia’s Initiative’s main focuses is restoring clean water to villages throughout Sinjar as a part of our WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) initiative. For the village of Zorava, Nadia’s Initiative fully restored clean water.

“Without Nadia’s Initiative’s support, we may still be suffering from a lack of water. We would like to thank the efforts of Nadia’s Initiative. Now, water is available in the area. People can get water easily and we have a healthy, safe, and clean environment.”

This project is funded by UAE Aid.