By Omar Abdurrahman
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – In a modest home in the town of Shuhail in the eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside, eastern Syria, Ali al-Jassim stands watching his seven children and the toll the cold is taking on them. Winter here is unlike any other season; the biting cold comes alongside a shortage of heating supplies and medical necessities, turning the fight against everyday illnesses into a daily struggle.
Ali told North Press, “Winter in Deir ez-Zor is extremely harsh. The cold is severe, and we suffer from a major lack of heating resources. Many families cannot afford to buy firewood, gas, or any kind of fuel. Children catch colds repeatedly during winter, and this causes us great anxiety. We see children crying from the cold and from illness. We try as much as we can to help them, but the conditions are extremely difficult.”
Some organizations provide assistance from time to time, but it is not enough, according to Ali, who added, “We need continuous support, especially in winter. We need medicines, blankets, and warm food.”
Speaking in colloquial language, he added, “Winter exposes the poor because it costs more than summer. Every winter, my seven children suffer repeated bouts of colds. I treat them two or three times, and even that treatment pushes me into debt. We hope the concerned authorities will support us with fuel and provide good, free services in hospitals, especially for the poor.”
An administrator in the Fuel Committee of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) in the Deir ez-Zor countryside, who preferred not to be named, told North Press that the available quantities of heating diesel are sufficient, and that the committee is working to complete its distribution to families in eastern Deir ez-Zor in the near future.
He explained that around 30 percent of families have not yet received their allocations because their names were not included in the lists issued by the Deir ez-Zor Fuel Administration, stressing that distribution outside these lists is not possible.
He added that families who did not benefit were directed to visit the Fuel Administration offices to register their names, but security conditions and the current situation prevent some families from traveling distances exceeding 100 kilometers to reach the administration office.
According to activist and health expert Jaber al-Saad, “Frankly, the health situation in Deir ez-Zor is extremely concerning. Despite repairs, there is still a shortage of medicines and medical supplies. Many health centers are not operating at full capacity due to a lack of staff and resources. We are trying to organize awareness campaigns and distribute basic medicines, but we need much greater support.”
Al-Saad told North Press, “I call on government bodies and humanitarian organizations to intensify their efforts to provide health support to the residents of Deir ez-Zor. There must be an urgent response to confront this critical situation, especially regarding children’s health, as the number of patients suffering from colds continues to rise.”
For his part, pediatric specialist Ahmad al-Hamid from the city of Hajin noted that children are the most vulnerable to winter illnesses. “During the winter season, we see a significant increase in cases of colds and respiratory infections. Children are the most susceptible due to weakened immunity resulting from malnutrition and environmental conditions. Many of them also live in unheated places, which increases the risk of infection.”
Al-Hamid told North Press, “Parents should try to keep children as warm as possible by providing warm clothing and avoiding prolonged exposure to cold. Proper nutrition also plays a crucial role in strengthening immunity. If symptoms appear, a doctor should be consulted immediately.”
He confirmed that his clinic receives no fewer than 30 cases of colds daily, as he tries to provide treatment and guidance to ease the financial burden on families.
At Shuhail General Hospital, administrator Mahmoud al-Saleh told North Press about the daily challenges facing medical staff.
“We face major challenges at the hospital due to shortages of resources and personnel. The number of patients increases significantly during winter, and we try to provide the best possible care despite the difficulties. The lack of medicines and medical supplies directly affects our ability to deliver treatment.”
Al-Saleh added, “We distribute the available medicines fairly and try to cooperate with humanitarian organizations to obtain more support. We also work to raise awareness among residents about how to prevent illnesses during the winter season.”
As winter begins in Deir ez-Zor, residents—especially children—appear to be facing a painful health reality that requires an urgent response from relevant authorities and humanitarian organizations.
Strengthening health awareness and providing essential resources such as medicines, heating materials, and food could significantly ease families’ suffering and improve quality of life in the region during the cold seasons.
Thousands of displaced people live in temporary camps in the Deir ez-Zor countryside, in tents and rudimentary shelters that lack heating, safe drinking water, and health services, making coping with the harsh winter a daily challenge, especially for children and women.
Many families are forced to collect firewood or use primitive heating methods due to fuel shortages and high prices. Reports have recorded an increase in cases of colds and respiratory diseases among children, alongside a clear shortage of medicines and available medical services.
Press reports also confirm that infrastructure in Deir ez-Zor remains partially or completely destroyed, including electricity, water, schools, and health centers, making post-war returns to homes nearly impossible without comprehensive rehabilitation.
The reports indicate that existing humanitarian efforts remain insufficient to meet the needs of the displaced, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable support to protect families and secure dignified living conditions in the face of the harsh winter.