By Fattah Issa
KOBANI, Syria (North Press) – Administrators of local organizations in the city of Kobani, northern Syria, believe the recent Turkish attacks, which targeted the region’s infrastructure, has had a negative impact on the efforts of these organizations to sustain stability in the area.
The primary reason for this setback is the suspension of various development, economic, and service projects that these organizations were undertaking.
Ishaq Bozi, Executive Officer of Kobani For Relief and Development organization, said that the recent Turkish attacks on the region negatively affected the work of humanitarian organizations and their development projects.
Kobani For Relief and Development organization is a local organization established in 2015 after people of Kobani returned to the area following the expulsion of the Islamic State (ISIS).
Initially, the organization worked in the relief field and then covered development after 2017 with the support of international organizations, especially the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) organization, which has been funding the local NGO since 2017.
Bozi told North Press that the recent attacks led to the suspension of the activities of most organizations operating in the region. He added their organization almost fully stopped operation.
concerns of Turkish threats
The continuous Turkish bombing of northern and northeastern Syria has resulted in a reduction in funding and allocations for the region by organizations and donor agencies. This reduction is primarily driven by concerns over the possibility of a potential invasion in the area.
“Following Turkey’s recent targeting of northeastern Syria, particularly the border strip and the targeting of infrastructure in the area, the activities of the majority of organizations operating in the region have ceased,” Bozi said.
He noted that funding from international organizations to local entities has decreased due to concerns over the presence of their staff in the area. Many of these organizations have withdrawn from the region, and the remaining ones have focused primarily on relief efforts and a few basic activities.
“We as a local organization work in economic development and livelihood projects such as supporting wheat farming, livestock, and cash-for-work initiatives. Our activities have been severely affected recently due to the Turkish attacks and the lack of funding,” he said.
Moreover, “local organizations operating in the area face pressure from donors in the event of any shelling or threats to secure alternative plans, relocate to other regions, and suspend the implemented projects.”
Bozi mentioned that the suspension of development projects has resulted in a “decrease in job opportunities and services in the region and has directly impacted the livelihoods of the population.”
He said that although NGOs may not be able to provide all the services to residents, they still contribute significantly to securing some essential services that impact people’s lives.
The number of humanitarian organizations operating in Kobani increased between 2015 and 2019. However, the Turkish invasion of the Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Tel Abyad regions in October 2019 resulted in a gradual withdrawal of these organizations from Kobani and its surrounding areas, redirecting their efforts to other regions.
After the expulsion of ISIS from Kobani in 2015, numerous international organizations directed their efforts towards the city. Approximately 30 international organizations were involved in infrastructure rehabilitation, sanitation and water networks, humanitarian aid, and mine clearance, with support from the US-led Global Coalition.
Currently, however, there are only seven international organizations present in Kobani, with only two actively operating. This is a significant decrease compared to the previous number of over 20 organizations before 2019.
The number of international organizations operating in Kobani has decreased from 30 organizations before 2019 to only five international NGOs and six local ones after 2019.
Kobani has few local organizations relative to its population; furthermore, the number of international NGOs has decreased as they have redirected their efforts to more secure and stable areas.
Supported by the US-led Global Coalition, the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), the backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), successfully defeated ISIS in 2015 after a fierce four-month battle.
Maqbola Barkel, the director of the ARZO organization for Children and Women, told North Press that the Turkish threats and shelling in the region has had significant impact on the efforts of NGOs striving to attain economic and social stability in the region.
Barkel noted that the Turkish attacks have also affected residents as many of them lost their jobs while others fled to safer areas.
Founded in Kobani in 2021, ARZO is a local NGO dedicated to providing essential care and protection to women, children, and adolescents affected by the conflicts that have plagued the region with a primary focus on post-war support.
Dire need for help
The director stated, “Our organization’s activities have been severely impacted by the Turkish threats.”
“Donors have halted their support to the region as a result of these threats; consequently, most organizations have shifted their focus to safer areas, such as Raqqa and have directed their projects there,” she added.
“Our region is in dire need of these projects as the population is facing challenging living conditions amid the lack of job opportunities,” she concluded.