Implementing preventive measures in the “Washo-Kani” camp in Hasakah and postponing others awaiting aid

Hasakah – North-Press Agency

Jindar Abdulqader

On Monday, the management of the health center in the Washo-Kani camp in the western countryside of Hasakah, which is inhabited by displaced people from the area of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), said that it had recently taken preventive and awareness-raising measures among camp residents to confront the dangers of the new coronavirus, mentioning other plans awaiting aid from the Autonomous Administration and humanitarian organizations.

Washo-Kani camp is located in the village of Twaina 12km west of the city of Hasakah, and is inhabited by about 10,000 people displaced from Sere Kaniye after its invasion by the Turkish army and affiliated armed opposition groups of the Sere Kaniye and Tal Abyad areas in October of last year.

The manager of health center at the Washo-Kani camp, Jihan Amer, told North-Press that several preventive measures were taken to face the risks of coronavirus infection. "We have prepared awareness-raising groups and distributed brochures to the camp's residents to prevent gatherings and focus on personal hygiene to reduce the occurrence of infections with the virus," she said.

She added that they have coordination with the Autonomous Administration about general procedures. "We have conducted sterilization campaigns and are seeking to develop an educational system to prevent the spread of this epidemic."

However, the camp is still witnessing a noticeable movement by the displaced people, while children still spend their time playing outside, despite the imposed quarantine.

Zahra Muhammed, who was displaced months ago from the village of al Qasimiya in the countryside of Tal Tamr which is now controlled by Turkish-backed opposition groups, said that the camp's management cares about personal hygiene and the cleanliness of the camp, and that the camp administration has carried out awareness campaigns for the residents "but there is no full compliance with the procedures.” This was considered by administrators at the camp's health center as "the inhabitants' disregard for their own lives,” without being aware of the seriousness of the epidemic which threatens the entire world.

"We are ready to create an isolation point to receive the suspected cases," said Jihan Amer. She noted that active humanitarian organizations in the area have made promises to assist, “but without concrete support on this regard.”