70 shelters insufficient as displacement grows in Kobani

The Co-Chair of the Social Affairs Authority in the Euphrates Canton, Ahmad Khoja, spoke to ANHA agency about the conditions of the displaced people and the severe siege imposed on Kobani by factions of the Syrian Interim Government, supported by the Turkish state.

Khoja explained that Kobani has been under a suffocating siege for 14 days, saying: “Due to the attacks by the factions of the Interim Government under the supervision of the occupying Turkish state, residents have been displaced from all areas. Kobani is under immense pressure. It hosts displaced people from Raqqa and Tabqa, in addition to residents of Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood and the city of Girê Spî/Tal Abyad, who were previously in Tel Saman camp. Now, more than 600,000 people are living inside the city of Kobani.”

Nearly 70 Shelters Opened, but Still Insufficient

In this context, Khoja pointed out that weather conditions are also extremely difficult, saying:“Families in Kobani received the displaced people who arrived in the city, with each family hosting four or five displaced families in their homes. However, this was not sufficient. Therefore, around 70 locations were opened as shelters, including schools, mosques, kindergartens, wedding halls, and all empty commercial shops, but despite this, they are still insufficient.”

All Shops in Kobani Have Run Out of Goods Due to the Siege

Ahmed Khoja confirmed that despite the siege and the continuous influx of displaced people, no food aid has reached Kobani so far. He concluded by saying: “Fuel, infant milk, and medicines have run out in Kobani. Everything — even infant formula — is no longer available in shops. Due to the suffocating siege, all commercial shops in Kobani have been emptied of goods. The most critical issue is infant milk. A humanitarian corridor must be opened for Kobani.”

ANHA