News Center- The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has provided services to people in the region by implementing an unique system of local administration. Municipalities in the region are responsible for developing cities and villages, protecting the environment, building roads, public parks, water supplies, and waste disposal; in short, they are responsible for meeting the needs of citizens.

Following the revolution in Rojava, the system of local administration changed in many cities of North and East Syria such as Hasakah, Qamishlo and Kobanê. Since the defeat of ISIS, municipalities have become the cornerstone of society in northeastern Syria.

NuJINHA spoke to some women in Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, Tabqa and Hasakah about the problems faced by them and their suggestions on solving these problems.

The Ervak neighborhood of Hajin, a town in the east of Deir ez-Zor, is one of the places whose infrastructure has been severely damaged due to the devastating effects of war. Although some projects have been already started to provide services to people in the city, many neighborhoods have no access to even basic services. There are three schools having 575 students in the neighborhood of Ervak; however, the students face challenges in going to school especially in winter because the roads in the neighborhood are destroyed and need to be paved and repaired. “The roads are filled with potholes and cracks and our children have difficulties in going to school in winter,” said Aida Culân, a resident of the Ervak neighborhood, demanding a comprehensive road maintenance plan and calling for cooperation between the people and the municipality.

Infrastructure problem in Raqqa

“Municipalities play a key role in rebuilding and social development of the region,” said Suad Weiso, a resident of Raqqa. “After the devastating impact of ISIS rule, municipalities started providing important services such as repairing infrastructure, rebuilding old and damaged bridges, regulating local markets and controlling prices.” Suad Weiso pointed to the active role of women in municipalities. “Women have participated in decision-making positions at the municipalities thanks to the co-presidential system.”

Suad Weiso also commented on negative developments in her neighborhood such as environmental cleaning. “There is an increase in indiscriminate dumping of waste. Campaigns should be launched to keep cleaning the environment and raise awareness of the public. We need more trash cans, a sewage and street lighting system and our roads need to be paved.”

‘Awareness-raising activities are needed for environmental cleaning’

Halime Cuma, a resident of Tabqa, demanded the beauty of the city on the banks of the Euphrates River be used for tourism. She called on the municipalities to support projects on opening restaurants and hotels along the riverside. “Our region is visited by many people. The increase in the number of accommodation and restaurants could increase the number of tourists. Agriculture projects for women must be supported and awareness-raising activities are needed for environmental cleaning.”

Regional inequality in services

Delfin Ayub, a resident of Hasakah, criticized regional inequality in services. “In Al-Musharifa neighborhood, the roads are unpaved and there is no electric generator. The April 4 Park in the neighborhood has become a playground for children and a nice space for mothers. Projects should be started for each neighborhood,” she said, demanding more municipal cleaning services.

Delfin Ayub thanked the municipality of Hasakah for having built a sewage system. “However, the condition of the roads is still a serious problem.”

In North and East Syria, municipalities make efforts to provide more services to people despite ongoing internal and external threats and military operations.