Life in Syria is tough. 12 years of conflict has inflicted untold damage on the country, and there is no end yet in sight.
Though violence has decreased in the past 2 years, Syria’s battered economy has been hit by hyperinflation, insecurity, and further impacted by the Ukraine conflict. It has all taken a toll on an already severely damaged country, plunging many more families into poverty.
In 2023, Syria still has the largest number of internally displaced people in the world – 6.8 million people – with 2.1 million internally displaced people (IDPs) living in last-resort and temporary accommodation.
For many living in temporary IDP camps, simply accessing the basic necessities can be a struggle.
Harsh winters
Like many in the Bab al-Hawa camp, Abu Ghaith’s story is heartbreaking:
“Shells rained down day and night, and ambulances could not reach the area. A missile fell on one of the houses. My wife died instantly as the roof of the house fell on top of her. I will never forget this scene as long as I live.”
Abu Ghaith fled in 2018, moving from the village of Kafr Zita to the Atma camp. He lived there with his family for a year before moving to a camp at the Bab al-Hawa crossing in the Babasqa area.
Finding winter supplies is difficult, and with 13 children to support Abu Ghaith’s teaching salary is not enough. He and his children are forced to search the mountains close to the camp to find wood and plastic to use as fuel.
Islamic Relief is providing humanitarian aid in the region, supporting families like Abu Ghaith’s with heating materials so they can keep warm during the harsh winter. Health centres have also been built near camps to provide medical relief to those who need it.
Abu Ghaith still dreams of home, however.
“There is no safety in the camp. Safety is in our country and our village, the homeland in which I was born and raised, I cannot forget. I dream of returning to the village and kissing the land my house stands on.”
“The real suffering will begin in that tent”
There are around 1,400 camps in northwest Syria alone. Living in dire conditions, most people in the camps rely on food aid provided by international relief agencies such as Islamic Relief.
Beyond the need for food, circumstances often worsen existing problems facing families living in the camps.
Originally from the village of Keferzita, Abdullah’s son Ahmed has a heart problem: a medical issue worsened when the family fled.
“That journey was not easy at all,” Admed says. “The journey, the loss and the alienation that we went through until we reached the displacement camps. I was not aware that everything that had passed was only a small part of the suffering. And that the real suffering will begin in that tent.”
Like others in the camp, the family burned wood and plastic to stay warm, not realising that the fumes from the burning plastic were worsening Ahmad’s condition. As Ahmad’s health deteriorated, the only option available to the family was major surgery in a neighbouring country. But the family were unable to afford the expense.
Thankfully, Islamic Relief were able to help after opening a new medical centre in northern Syria.
“We visited the centre, Ahmed was examined, and his condition was reviewed under the supervision of Dr Farouk, who set the date for the operation for us,” says Abdullah. “Ahmed entered the operating room, and his mother and I waited, hoping that God would ease his affairs.
“After 4 hours of waiting, a voice shouted, ‘Oh, Aba Ahmed Mubarak, Ahmed’s operation succeeded, and he is in good health.’
“I hope that support will continue for these benevolent projects that alleviate many of the burdens and suffering in this nation, and that save the lives of many people every day.”
