by  Youssef Osman, originally posted on June 22, 2016

A drinking water crisis has plagued the governorate of Beheira in recent months, specifically the city of Kafr al-Dawar, according to member of parliament from Beheira Mohamed Saad Temraz. Speaking to Daily News Egypt, Temraz said that the water crisis has left multiple villages without access to clean drinking water for over three months. “People …

A drinking water crisis has plagued the governorate of Beheira in recent months, specifically the city of Kafr al-Dawar, according to member of parliament from Beheira Mohamed Saad Temraz.

Speaking to Daily News Egypt, Temraz said that the water crisis has left multiple villages without access to clean drinking water for over three months.

“People are forced to ride donkey carts and tractors to get access to clean drinking water that are over five kilometres away,” Temraz explained.

“The infrastructure for drinking water has not been replaced in over 55 years,” Temraz continued. “They are almost completely blocked and are a source of disease.”

“This is a long-term problem,” Temraz added. “Every day it gets worse.”

Temraz continued by saying that the government is of no help in solving the crisis.

“It is an administrative problem,” Temraz said. “No one in the government is listening. Every day they point accusations at each other. The solutions they put forth are weak and unconvincing, and would not even convince the average citizen.”

Temraz said that he has called for the Minister of Housing Mostafa Madbouly’s resignation, citing his inability to solve the problem.

However, Temraz believes that even if the minister resigns, the crisis will not be solved.

“We need solutions, more than we need resignations,” Temraz stated. “There are no more viable solutions and officials are looking the other way.”

Madbouly had announced plans in October to inaugurate 83 water plant projects before 30 May 2016, which would aim to overcome the problem of drinking water shortages.

However, citizens of Kafr al-Dawar, which is home to over 1.5 million people, are still finding it difficult to obtain nearby access to clean drinking water.