Following heavy rains and snowstorms, a number of camps for internally displaced people (IDP) across northwest Syria have been severely damaged.
Mark Cutts, the UN’s Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, has reported on displaced Syrians’ worsening humanitarian situation in the country’s northwest due to adverse weather. Rains have damaged numerous tents, and the cold has led to the death of several children.
Through his Twitter account, Cutts has said that “snow, rain and cold weather continue to make life very difficult for displaced people in camps”, mentioning a camp in the Idlib governorate in particular.
“Meanwhile, humanitarian organisations are continuing to clear roads, repair or replace damaged shelters and provide emergency support”, he added.
The UN has reported that more than one thousand tents have been either destroyed or significantly damaged by recent weather. Three days ago, Syrian activists circulated pictures showing the bodies of 15 children who had succumbed to the cold.
Recent cold weather, including snow, has increased the suffering of many of the 1.5 million people currently living in camps across Syria, and of those in Lebanon and Jordan, which have also experienced cold spells.
100s of 1000s of Syrians, having fled bombing campaigns by the Russian and Syrian air forces, are now camped along the country’s border.
After more than 10 years of war, the lives of Syrian IDPs and refugees has become more difficult than ever. Since 2011, millions have been forced to search for safety in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and other countries.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are approximately 13.4 million Syrians in need of humanitarian assistance in the country itself, 6.7 million of whom are internally displaced. There are 6.6 million Syrian refugees globally, 5.5 million of whom are hosted in neighbouring countries.
