By Iman al-Nasser
DEIR-EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Samia al-Khalaf has been deeply affected by the war. As a result of an airstrike, she lost her right hand, leaving her incapable of carrying out her daily responsibilities. Furthermore, her mental state has significantly deteriorated due to the trauma she endured.
Al-Khalaf, 35, a resident of the village of al-Hissan, in west of Deir ez-Zor city, eastern Syria, lost her right hand as a result of shrapnel from an airstrike during the battles between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by the US-led Global Coalition, and the Islamic State (ISIS).
Like Samia, war-affected individuals in Deir ez-Zor face many hardships, worsened by challenging living conditions and a lack of support.
During a certain period, al-Khalaf’s suffering was temporarily eased by receiving a monthly salary from an organization. Unfortunately, this support did not endure for a long time.
The woman is advocating for a salary to be provided to her by humanitarian organizations or the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). Additionally, she emphasizes that having suitable employment opportunities would alleviate her hardships.
War-affected people in Deir ez-Zor express grievances over the scarcity of job opportunities and the absence of official entities and organizations that offer them support and care.
There are no official figures for the number of war-affected individuals in Deir ez-Zor, but there are many of them. A significant portion has sustained injuries resulting in permanent disabilities. These individuals face challenging economic circumstances, further compounded by the devaluation of the Syrian currency.
To meet his family’s needs amid the difficult economic conditions, 40-year-old Muhammad al-Hussein from the village of al-Shahabat, in western Deir ez-Zor, started to sell fresh vegetables on a stall.
The man lost one of his legs in artillery shelling that targeted his house nine years ago, leaving him unable to work. He described his situation as “difficult.”
Like Samia, he demands the allocation of a monthly salary to alleviate the burden of providing for his family. In addition, he has sought employment opportunities, but he laments that his pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
The injury suffered by Hwash al-Saleh, 36, an IDP residing in the Meheimideh makeshift camp, located 12 km west of Deir ez-Zor, has shrank his opportunities of getting married. The man lost one of his hands due to a shell that fell near his place of work.
Al-Saleh said that his living conditions are tragic as he is unable to secure basic needs for his mother and sister.
The man’s inability to find any work due to his injury and the scarcity of suitable opportunities has significantly worsened his living conditions.
Despite their continuous pleas, the absence of official support exacerbates the hardships faced by war victims who have been left permanently disabled as a result of their injuries.