ICRC head argues to find practical solutions to al-Hol camp

Speaking of women and children in camps like al-Hol, At the conclusion of his five-day visit to Syria, ICRC President Peter Maurer said: "This is really where hope will die. It is one of the biggest - if not the biggest - child protection crises that we live in, and we are facing today."

Maurer added, "It is a scandal that the international community has allowed such a place to continue, and for this situation to continue, not because of an intractable humanitarian problem, but because of political differences that prevent a lasting solution for those stranded here in NE, Syria."

He called on the international community to cooperate to find practical solutions for the citizens of more than 60 countries in al-Hol, including tens of thousands of Iraqis and Syrians.

Of the estimated 62,000 people in the sprawling camp, two-thirds are children, many of them orphaned or separated from their families, growing up in harsh and often dangerous conditions.

The International Committee of the Red Cross urged all countries to assume responsibility for their citizens in al-Hol, north and east Syria, and to make all efforts to return to the homeland legally, while respecting family unity and supporting full reintegration.

Maurer touched on the huge problems that Syria suffers from, and said: "We see the accumulation of problems, economic problems, the impact of the war, the Corona pandemic, the collapse of the economy of neighboring Lebanon, all of this exacerbated to a very large and dangerous crisis in Syria, more than 80% of the population became poor." Over the past two months and years. "

He added, "This is not about the existence of a political gap around the reconstruction, but rather finding practical solutions in the areas of water, sanitation, education, health, basic electricity and basic income for people."

T/S

ANHA