What is the current Situation in Syria?
Is the humanitarian crisis over? Are people returning “home”? These are a few common questions we hear people ask about the current situation in Syria. Witnessing other people’s accounts of the needs and crisis is second to witnessing with one’s own eyes. Hence, core members of the Revive team travelled out to Syria to witness first hand Revive’s charity distributions and the needs and situation of the refugees we serve.
Is the humanitarian crisis in Syria over?
Arriving into Syria, Shaykh Zaqir, Revive’s director, reported that in order to cross the border from Turkey, you have to walk across a strange “no man’s land” in which no cars or vehicles are permitted to cross. Once they crossed on foot, they travelled to Afrin, an area we have served aid to consistently for over 5 years. Travelling to the isolated Zabataba camp, this is what they witnessed.
“There are more than 4000 displaced people who are mostly children widows and families. This particular camp in Afrin is very under serviced, as you can tell from the pictures from when we went to distribute there that the vast majority of them are children. Alhamdulillah we went there and saw at first hand what the dire situation is there. We realised that there are miles upon miles of tents. In which there is no emergence from anybody, not the united nations, not the Turkish government, no other bodies to try and get them into fixed abode. Because of this the children have not had education in excess of 10 years and illiteracy is rampant. While they can speak in Arabic they have no way to write or read. This is going to hamper them and put them into an ongoing cycle of poverty.”
Are basic survival needs of Syrian Refugees being met?
As the humanitarian crisis in Syria has surpassed a decade, many might assume that the flow of aid and support to the region has stabilised or be under the assumption that major players in humanitarian support such as the UN or Turkish government are providing sufficient aid. Be under no illusion that the basic lifeline needs of Syrian refugees are not being tended to. Here’s what we found…
“Whilst we were there we realised that due to the northern area not being under Syria’s control, they have cut off the water to that area. This has affected the land meaning that wells that have been dug there are not producing water, as no one is digging wells beyond 150 metres. Nobody wants to do the 400 metre dig which is the more difficult one, this is something we’re now looking into.
What that means is that the crops are also affected. Where corn would grow to about 1.20, its only growing to 30cm now due to a lack of water. However Syrians are resourceful people. Even though thats the case they are not giving into despondency and despair. They are continuing to grow the crops, even if its at 30cm and utilising that to take themselves out of poverty.
We went also to the area of Al Bab, in which there was a camp which hasn’t seen any aid come to them for the last 4 years. We’re the only consistent organisation which gives aid in this area.“
What impact do Ramadan donations have across the board?
“When other charities come to these desolate areas during Ramadan, they donate an aid drop and then disappear. This is why Revive has a heavy focus on our Breaking Bread project especially in Ramadan, so that we know we can donate aid 6 times a week throughout the year in the form of bread. We hope to increase from the 2 locations we are currently supporting. We need to change our attitude towards giving one-off donations to sustainable projects which can begin to build Syrian refugees from their most basic needs, upwards”
Who else is helping?
“What can be said from this is that the humanitarian disaster has not gone away, its just been ignored by both sides. Turkey are ignoring it because they’re hoping international aid charities will come and help, because they have the resources. Syria is ignoring it because its not in their land anymore according to them and they want to punish the people. United nations are ignoring it because they think the Turkish authorities will look over it. So they are falling through the wheel and being neglected by all pirates. It falls upon us to fulfil this. The problems haven’t gone away, they’re still there. InshaAllah t’ala by Revive continuing to increase and grow, we will be the people who will help them. We’re also looking to establish 400m wells so that they can have water and bread, Alhamdulillah.”
What is the situation for their health?
“There is a hospital, the only hospital in Al Bab, in the whole Northern region. The Turkish authorities have built it but it still requires help.
Diseases of the eye are common from living in tents which can save people’s vision with the right treatment.
The recent eye machine we just left them with takes up 8 tasks which an optician can normally do, by a technical eye operator, not necessarily an optician. Our visit to the hospital has opened up many opportunities for doctors, dentists, opticians, medical professionals, to go there and stay there for a limited number of days in the provided accommodation to benefit many people inshaAllah. This is a call to our doctors and dentists to support people in this region, inshaAllah.“
What can I do to help?
- Donate consistently – Don’t be a one off donor. Commit a portion of your monthly income to helping towards sustainable aid projects in Syria such as our Breaking Bread Project, which currently provides over 1 500 000 flatbread to Syrian refugees every year!
- Fundraise – Ypu can set up a fundraising page directly with Revivew with no hidden fees – 100% of what you raise will be given to the cause! Visit fundraising.reviveda.org today to set up your page!
- Share this post – Spread the word to raise awareness!
- Contact Us – to ask how you can support.
