YALDA /Syria/, August 20. /TASS/. The restoration of the water system for residential houses was launched in the town of Yalda in Eastern Ghouta in Syria. Yalda water supply engineer Youssef Dip told journalists that it is the first time in seven years the infrastructure is being restored here.
"Preventive measures had annually been held before the war, but when the militants were there, no repair was possible. Now we are launching it for the first time in seven years," the engineer said.
He added that the water supply was partially restored. "Some of the pipes are working, and most houses have enough water already. The full restoration of water supply depends on how fast electricians will restore the electricity supply," the engineer added.
The fast restoration of the infrastructure became possible, because refugees are actively returning to Eastern Ghouta now, he said. "There are enough workers, as people returned <...> The Russian friends promised us to bring new pipes and an excavator," he concluded.
The locals often repair their homes themselves and help each other. "It all started with me fixing a door in my house, then a neighbor came up and asked me to repair [his door.] Now I am repairing doors to all wishing," local resident Hassan told reporters.
A children’s playground
Yalda’s authorities remember about the interests of the younger generation - many sports grounds and children’s playgrounds were destroyed during the war, but the city is rebuilding them already. "This is not a specialized children’s park, it is not in the city plan, but we decided to satisfy the requests of the locals," said head of the Yalda administration Muhammad Hamid, showing a playground near a mosque to journalists.
About 150 children daily visit the playground he said. "Of course, most funds are being spent on the reconstruction of the infrastructure: hospitals, schools and homes. But it does not mean that the children will be neglected. As soon as we fulfil the most important tasks, such playgrounds will appear in each quarter," Hamid concluded.
The liberation of the Damascus suburbs
Fights in the Damascus suburbs have been ongoing for six years - since 2012. Illegal armed groups and terrorist from the groups Islamic State, Jabhat al-Nusra (both outlawed in Russia) and others seized dozens of communities near the Syrian capital. The Syrian army ultimately liberated the Rif Dimashq Governorate with support from the Russian Aerospace Force this past May. The destroyed houses and infrastructure are being restored in the Damascus suburbs now.
Eastern Ghouta residents regularly receive necessary cargoes. So, in early August more than 40 tonnes of humanitarian supplies were delivered there from France. The cargoes were delivered from Europe to Syria by Russian military-transport aircraft to the Hmeymin airbase, and then they were sent to Eastern Ghouta, with a police escort.