Syrians Displaced by War Face Difficult Winter in Northwest Camps
Syrians who have been displaced by the ongoing war in the country are bracing themselves for another challenging winter. Living in camps in the northwest of Syria, these individuals are dealing with soaring fuel prices, a scarcity of jobs, and dwindling humanitarian aid.
The Struggles of Displaced Syrians
Abdul Salam Al-Youssef, a 53-year-old resident of Al-Tah, south of Idlib, expressed his concerns about the upcoming winter. He said, “We have been in random camps for three years, lacking the minimum necessities of life, and our suffering increases at the beginning of each winter.” The high cost of heating methods, which exceeds $150, and the expensive prices of heaters make it impossible for families like his to bear the expenses.
Moreover, the tents that people have been living in for the past three years are becoming worn and allowing water to seep through. Khaled Abdel Rahman, another displaced individual from Al-Tah, shared a similar story. He said, “We used to receive support for heating materials at the beginning of every winter, but every year this support decreases. Until, in the last two years, we started burning nylon garbage or plastic containers. These materials are harmful to health, especially children.”
Dwindling Humanitarian Aid
The amount of humanitarian aid provided to camps in northwest Syria has been steadily decreasing since 2021. This reduction in support has made it even more challenging for displaced Syrians to cope with the harsh winter conditions. The situation is particularly dire for the more than 2 million individuals living in the region’s camps, including 600,000 women, 888,000 children, and 84,000 people with special needs.
Soaring Fuel Prices
Samir Al-Ahmad, a firewood seller at a local market, shed light on the rising fuel prices. He stated, “Firewood in previous years was much cheaper than now, but the prices of all heating materials are very expensive.” Al-Ahmad explained that he had initially planned to install a diesel greenhouse but had to settle for a wood-burning greenhouse due to financial constraints. The cost of firewood ranges from $140 to $210, depending on its type and quality. As a result, people can only afford to buy small amounts of firewood when they can.
The Plight of Displaced Syrians
The Syria Response Coordinators team revealed that displaced people make up almost half of the more than 6 million individuals currently residing in northwest Syria. Among them, over 2 million people, including women, children, and those with special needs, live in camps. These individuals face numerous challenges, including inadequate shelter, limited access to basic necessities, and the constant struggle to stay warm during the harsh winter months.
Conclusion
As winter approaches, displaced Syrians in northwest camps are bracing themselves for another difficult season. With soaring fuel prices, a scarcity of jobs, and diminishing humanitarian aid, their struggles continue to mount. Urgent action is needed to address their needs and provide them with the support necessary to endure the harsh winter conditions.