Arduous journey of displacement reflecting suffering of thousands in NE, Syria

The suffering of thousands of displaced persons in the regions of North and East Syria continues, set against a backdrop of difficult humanitarian conditions and a shortage of basic aid. This situation exacerbates the daily challenges faced by families and intensifies their calls for increased support and for the assurance of a safe return to their areas of origin.

Hadla Mahmoud Hassan displaced from the countryside surrounding the city of Kobani since the onset of the latest military escalation in North and East Syria earlier this year serves as a poignant example of the suffering associated with repeated displacement. Forced to flee her home with her family due to the dire conditions, she embarked on an arduous journey of movement across several cities before finally settling in the city of al-Darbasiyah.

Hadla recounts that she initially headed to Raqqa, then to Damascus where she spent 12 days before moving on to al-Hasakah. While there, she was informed of the existence of a shelter center in al-Darbasiyah; she subsequently made her way there with her family in search of stability.

Hadla describes her current living reality as "extremely harsh," noting that she and her family were unable to take any of their belongings with them during their displacement, save for a single small bag. Furthermore, one of her sons is currently suffering from an illness, a situation compounded by their deteriorating financial circumstances and the difficulty of securing medical treatment.

Throughout their journey of displacement, the family faced recurring challenges, moving between Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, and Al-Hasakah before finally reaching Al-Darbasiyah a trajectory that reflects the complexities of movement and the pervasive instability they endured. She emphasizes that their current life lacks even the most basic necessities for survival, particularly given the limited scope of humanitarian aid currently being provided.

Hadla Hassan notes that while some relief agencies, including the Kurdish Red Crescent have offered support to the displaced, this assistance falls short of meeting their fundamental needs; consequently, families are compelled to appeal to relevant authorities and international organizations to increase the volume of aid.

Their suffering is not confined solely to material living conditions; it also extends to the psychological realm, particularly for the children, who struggle to adapt to the harsh reality of displacement. Furthermore, their education has been interrupted for prolonged periods, raising grave concerns regarding their future prospects.

In concluding her remarks, Hadla Hassan called upon the international community to uphold its responsibilities in supporting displaced persons and to work toward facilitating their safe return to their homes, while simultaneously ensuring the provision of conditions that guarantee them a secure and dignified life.

ANHA