Coastal residents praise humanitarian support initiative from NE Syria

The Kurdish Red Crescent, with the participation of a number of volunteers from north and east Syria, completed the delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected by the tragic events that occurred between March 7 and 10 in various areas of the Syrian coast.

The distribution process lasted three days, with the participation of local volunteers from villages and towns, in cooperation with mukhtars and notables who facilitated the preparation of lists and information about the affected families.

The initiative by the people of north and east Syria covered several areas on the coast, and aid reached residents of Ras al-Ain, Qarfis, and other villages in Jableh. Trucks also departed for Qardaha, while hundreds of families received their rations in Mukhtariyah, al-Bassa, and other villages in the Latakia countryside.

The initiative left an impact on the coast in general, as it was the first communication of its kind between the residents of the coast and NE Syria. Tariq Shahada, a resident of the village of Qarfis in the Jableh countryside, told ANHA agency: "We were honored by a visit from our brothers in NE Syria, the Kurdish Red Crescent, and the Autonomous Administration. They brought a package of aid to the villagers affected by the recent events. Their presence played a significant role in healing some of the wounds the people of the region suffered."

Shahada added: "The message that came from our brothers in NE Syria is one of love, goodness, peace, and a message of building a better country. We, in return, assured them that we are brothers. It is true that there was an oppressive and unjust policy by the Bashar al-Assad regime that may have divided Syrians from one another and separated the people of the coast from our Kurdish brothers. However, we remain brothers in hope and pain, and brothers in struggle. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and hope that communication will continue."

Amjad Suleiman, a resident of the village of Qarfis in the Jableh countryside, thanked the organizers of the initiative, which provided support in the form of food aid, as well as moral support through words and communication with the residents to alleviate the grief and pain they have suffered due to the tragic events that have occurred recently.

He added, "We are brothers in our homeland and struggle, and we hope that future visits will be held under better circumstances, so that we can show our loyalty to our brothers, even with a small portion of what they have offered us during our ordeal. This is not strange to them; they are people of chivalry and courage, and we will remain brothers in the struggle until the end."

In turn, Ibrahim Al-Issa, a resident of Qarfis, told ANHA agency, "The initiative is a noble and honorable historical stance that reflects the identity and culture of our people and our people in NE Syria. This historic stance is not surprising, and reflects the deep roots of brotherhood that unite us. The pain is one, the struggle is one, and the path is one."

Al-Issa noted that the volunteers and the team accompanying the convoy risked their lives to deliver aid.

Abu Ahmed, a pseudonym for a resident of the village of Al-Mukhtariyya in northern Latakia who preferred to remain anonymous, spoke about the positive impact of the initiative, saying, "The initiative was excellent. Thank you very much to all of you. We all hope that these initiatives will be repeated to alleviate the suffering of the people of the affected villages. We send a message of thanks and love from all the people of the coastal regions to the people of the eastern regions for this humanitarian gesture that touched the hearts of all the wounded and bereaved people. God willing, with everyone's efforts, things will get better and love will return among us."

The North and East Syria People's Initiative for the Coastal Region, organized and distributed by the Kurdish Red Crescent with the help of local communities in North and East Syria and the Coastal Region, successfully delivered 6,000 food baskets, approximately 2,500 hygiene kits, and 350 tons of wheat to thousands of families in Jableh, Baniyas, Qardaha, and Latakia.

The accompanying team successfully completed the mission and returned to the cities of Qamishli, Hasaka, and Raqqa after completing the distribution process and holding the first Newroz celebration, lighting the torch with the people of the Coastal Region. This completed the mission and the message simultaneously, successfully healing wounds and planting new hope. 

Sh-S

ANHA