Forgotten people on date with real disaster by winter

ODAY AL-AHMAD/ AL-TABQA

35 km north-west of al-Tabqa city, al-Twihina camp had been erected which included more than 2,150 families from various areas in Syria. The camp lies below the extreme poverty and destitution line. The people displaced from the countryside of Hama and Homs are 90% of the camp population.

During the tour of ANHA in the camp and our conversation with the displaced, it was clear the extent of suffering, the sever lack of life requirements and the great fear of the people from a real disaster that may happen with the coming of winter as they are waiting for a harsh winter and they are afraid to be disastrous, especially with the increasing of their numbers and needs, and the lack of assistance provided by the humanitarian organizations, especially in the recent times.

The displaced Khawla al-Shibli said, "As winter approaches, our situation is going to get worse. We have no means of heating and all the tents are leaking rain water due to their being worn out by the hot summer sun.

The displaced people in the camps are looking for alternative heating methods, either by burning leaves or wood to gain some warmth under cold weather, and by digging drainage channels to prevent the formation of floods. Despite all these efforts and attempts, the situation remains disastrous and out of control.

The displaced Hasna al-Milhim from Homs countryside said, "I appeal to all the organizations and associations to provide tents for us. These tents, which we are living in, have become worn and have reached the age of one and  half year. I have lost my tent as a result of the dust storm that swept the area last week."

She added, "Today, I am enforced to stay with the residents of nearby tents. I do not have a place."

The camp contains 2,365 tents distributed throughout its parts. The tents are divided into 1,200 random tents due to the lack of the organization of the camp in general, the lack of tents distributed by the organizations and the lack of taking care of them, while 100 tents were established as a temporary solution to accommodate the new families.

This is the case of the camp which faces a real disaster as winter approaches, especially with the increase in the number of displaced people from the various zones of conflict. Will the humanitarian organizations and relief bodies do their humanitarian duty to help these forgotten people and provide them with what they need to overcome their ordeal during this difficult period?

H/S

ANHA