Kurdish Red Crescent reveals scale of displacement crisis, calls for permanent solution

The Kurdish Red Crescent held a press conference on Sunday at its headquarters in Qamishlo, addressing the displacement of residents from Afrin, Shahba, and the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo, as well as displacement from Raqqa and Tabqa, and the aid that has arrived in Rojava and been distributed to the displaced.

During the press conference, the co-chair of the Kurdish Red Crescent, Delgesh Issa, read a statement in Arabic, indicating that a catastrophic wave of displacement began recently on January 18, 2026. He pointed out that "this wave is not a new displacement, but rather a continuation of the suffering that has been ongoing since 2018, when Turkish attacks and its affiliated factions forced the residents of Afrin to displace. Many of them were subsequently displaced to the Shahba region, and then to the Tabqa and Raqqa regions in search of relative stability."

He added, "With the recent attack launched by factions of the Syrian Interim Government on the Tabqa and Raqqa regions, and the escalating massacres and human rights violations, the people of Afrin, along with residents of these areas, were forced to displace once again to the Jazira region in North and East Syria, including Hasaka, Qamishlo, Derik, Derbasiya, Tirbê Spiyê, Girkê Legê, Rmelan, and Amuda, where they sought refuge in schools, mosques, and residential complexes, as well as Serê Kaniyê camp and homes in neighborhoods, which served as shelters."

According to the Red Crescent statistics, the number of displaced people as a result of these attacks exceeded 60,000 distributed among hundreds of shelters and homes, noting that the displaced came from Afrin, Tabqa, and Raqqa, in addition to families from the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo.

The statement made clear that from the first moments of the arrival of the displaced people, the families faced a difficult and worsening humanitarian situation, represented by a severe shortage of shelter, blankets, and fuel, and a scarcity of food and clean water, in addition to limited health care services and great pressure on local capabilities, especially in light of the harsh winter conditions.

In response to this emergency, the Kurdish Red Crescent confirmed its immediate intervention, providing urgent aid including first aid, transferring critical cases to hospitals, activating mobile clinics, and supplying health facilities with medicines and medical supplies. They also distributed food baskets, personal hygiene items, water tanks, clothing, blankets, heaters, baby formula and diapers, as well as hot meals, bread, and financial support to shelters.

The statement noted that two relief convoys were also dispatched to Kobani, and psychosocial support was provided to children through specialized activities.

The statement further explained that during this period, special attention was given to the most vulnerable groups, including children, women, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses, through continuous health monitoring within the shelters to ensure they received the necessary care.

According to the Kurdish Red Crescent, the aid received from supporting organizations is as follows:

Kurdistan Save the Children: 984 baby kits and 4 truckloads of medicine.

Democratic Society Movement: 45 water tanks.

Channel 8: A convoy of 150 relief trucks.

Kirkuk Charity Foundation: 34 truckloads of food.

Kezzi Campaign: 3 truckloads of food.

Channel 8, the Helost Bloc, and Kirkuk Charity Foundation: 4 trucks loaded by 45 tons of medicine.

The people of South Kurdistan: Haji Awa (7 trucks), Benjwen (3 trucks), Jemjamal and Kelar (3 trucks of medicine and food), Sinjaser (2 trucks), Sulaimaniyah (2 trucks), Ranya (1 truck), and Said Sadiq (1 truckload of food).

Nahri: A shipment of medicine, clothing, and 30 water tanks.

Local companies: Rcell Company: 1,000 food baskets. Rojda Company and German Youth (4 tons of clothing).

KurdSat Channel and the Kurdistan Children's Protection Organization: A shipment of 30 tons of medicine.

During the press conference, the Kurdish Red Crescent also revealed the following aid distributions:

Medical Sector: 120 tons of specialized medicines and medical equipment were distributed to several hospitals, including: Farman (Qamishlo), Tishi, Syria Specialized Hospital, Sara, Al-Nour, Al-Nafiz, Morad, Khabur, Al-Sha'ab, Dari, Al-Najma, Al-Jazira, Al-Salam, Shahid Tekin, Dar Al-Shifa, and Al-Rahma.

Baby Formula: 4,120 cans of formula and 5,399 diapers were distributed.

Food: 16,077 food baskets and 8,772 meals were distributed.

Shelter and Heating Materials: 404 mattresses and blankets, 975 heaters, kitchen sets and mats, and 1,322 solar lamps were distributed.

Clothing: 1,782 cartons of clothing and 750 cartons of shoes were distributed.

Financial support: Support was provided to 674 families.

Children's support: 115 toy baskets were distributed.

Hygiene supplies: 1,669 hygiene kits were distributed.

Water: 145 water tanks were distributed.

Flour: 2,799 bags of flour were distributed.

The statement noted that the distribution of aid to displaced persons is ongoing. It emphasized that the swift and effective response achieved was the result of widespread solidarity and popular support, which contributed to saving the lives of thousands of people in extremely difficult circumstances.

On this occasion, the Kurdish Red Crescent expressed its deep appreciation and gratitude to all who contributed to these humanitarian efforts, particularly the Kurdistan Red Crescent, local and international organizations, the people of North and South Kurdistan, and popular initiatives both within and outside the country. It added, "Despite the significant challenges, including harsh weather conditions such as snow and floods, and the security risks that have affected some of our staff, the Kurdish Red Crescent continues its humanitarian work to the best of its ability to this day."

The Kurdish Red Crescent concluded its statement by stressing that the displaced persons need not only an urgent humanitarian response, but also a lasting solution that ends their recurred suffering and guarantees their safety and dignity.

At the end of the press conference, the Kurdish Red Crescent presented a T.V show that includes its reception of displaced persons and the various services it has provided to them.

ANHA