By Omar Abdurrahman
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Displaced families in makeshift camps across Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria, face worsening conditions as winter approaches, with inadequate shelter, food, and healthcare.
The freezing temperatures and lack of heating are causing widespread illness, particularly among children, and despite some humanitarian aid, the support is insufficient.
Ali al-Nasser, a father of three, was forced to flee with his family from the city of Deir ez-Zor due to security crackdowns. They now live in a makeshift camp in the village of Meheimideh, north of the city, where they face daily hardships.
The city of Deir ez-Zor and areas west of the Euphrates River are controlled by the Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias.
Across Deir ez-Zor and central Syria, the plight of displaced people in makeshift camps worsens. These camps are ill-equipped for the harsh conditions of winter, which have serious physical and mental health consequences for the residents.
These camps face dire shortages of basic necessities like food and clean water. As temperatures plummet, the tents offer little protection against the freezing cold, leading to illness.
Winter approaches
Al-Nasser says that the war, disputes, and security crackdowns forced him and his family to flee, and with winter approaching, their hardships have increased even more.
“We endure biting cold and high humidity, which seriously affects our health. Every winter, my children get sick repeatedly, and the strong winds tear through our tents, keeping us awake all night,” he explains.
The IDPs do not have enough warm clothing to shield themselves from the cold, not to mention severe shortages of food and health services, with little opportunity for work.
Al-Nasser has repeatedly tried to leave the camp and rent a house, but the high costs are beyond his reach. His family relies heavily on humanitarian aid, which falls short of meeting their winter needs.
He calls on authorities and international organizations to provide greater humanitarian support, to help survive the brutal winter and give the children a chance at a dignified life.
Living in constant fear
Umm Zainab, a 40-year-old woman living with her five children in an IDP camp in the al-Ma’aml area in the north of Deir ez-Zor, shared similar struggles.
“Winter here is brutal. The cold is constant. I cannot afford heaters or fuel to keep us warm,” she tells North Press.
She adds that their tent offers little protection from the wind and rain. “When it rains, water leaks into our bedding, soaking it.”
“My children are constantly suffering from colds and diarrhea, and I cannot afford proper medical care. I live in fear that I might lose one of them to illness,” she notes.
Challenges
Dozens of makeshift camps house displaced families, most of whom fled from government-held areas due to the destruction of their homes or the threat of security crackdowns.
Hussein Abdul Fattah, a member of the Social Affairs Committee of the Autonomous Administrations of North and East Syria (AANES) in Deir ez-Zor, noted that displaced people in these camps face overwhelming challenges, especially during winter.
Abdul Fattah says these camps lack even the most basic necessities for a dignified life, and there is a severe shortage of essential services.
He emphasizes that the harsh winter weather leads to the spread of diseases, particularly among children and women.
Authorities are working to meet the displaced people’s basic needs, including blankets, heating materials, and food. However, the available resources are far from sufficient, he says.
“We have distributed relief aid to many camps with the help of local and international organizations, but we know this is not enough. There is an urgent need to provide adequate healthcare and education services,” Abdul Fattah points out.
He adds that authorities are trying to establish organized camps with better living standards, as well as create job opportunities and vocational training to improve the displaced people’s economic situation.
Abdul Fattah believes that the international community and relief organizations must step up efforts to deliver the necessary aid and create a safe, healthy environment for the IDPs.