By Omar Abdurrahman
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – IDPs in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria, experience dire conditions in makeshift camps that have become the last resort for those who fled the intensifying war and security persecutions.
The IDPs in those camps struggle to survive, facing shortage of support from the Syrian government amid economic, social, and health challenges.
Life in the camp
Jaber al-Ahmad, an IDP of Abu Khashab camp in the north of the city of Deir ez-Zor, recounts his story saying that they – the IDPs – live in tents and huts without basic services.
“We suffer from the absence of privacy and overcrowding,” says al-Ahmad. “Our lives are exposed to harsh weather conditions in the summer and winter.”
He added that they suffer from the spread of diseases and epidemics due to poor drainage systems and the shortage of drinking water.
“Malnutrition is widespread, especially among children, due to the difficulty in obtaining proper healthcare.”
Regarding education, there are no schools within the camps, forcing families to send their children to nearby schools where they face discrimination. Al-Ahmad says, “We prefer leaving our children uneducated to avoid being discriminated.”
Economically, the IDPs basically rely on humanitarian aid due to the difficulty in finding job opportunities. Al-Ahmad adds that they need financial support to meet their basic needs.
Stories form the camps
Ali Tarif, an IDP from the village of al-Tabiyyah in eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, was displaced in 2017 due to conflicts between the Islamic State (ISIS), government forces, and Iranian-backed militias.
After losing his home, he was forced to move to eastern Syria, the area run by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). He lived in Deir ez-Zor but he found it difficult to get a job and pay rent, which forced him to resort to Meheimideh camp in the north of Deir ez-Zor.
He indicates that the life in the camp was good psychologically as the IDPs stand in solidarity with each other, but it is difficult in terms of living conditions and services. “We face difficulties in securing our basic needs due to the lack of support and the existence of social division,” he says.
Tarif points out that the society views them as a marginalized group, which increases their psychological and social suffering. He says “We hope others understand that we [the IDPs] are similar to them in customs and traditions, and that we were forced to come to the camps due to the conflict.”
The IDPs in the camp demand the provision of basic services including water, sanitation, healthcare, regular financial and food aid, and job opportunities to improve their living conditions.
Tragic situation
Muhammad al-Awad, an activist in Deir ez-Zor and an employee for a local NGO that operates in the makeshift camps, describes the situation in which the IDPs live as tragic.
Al-Awad says the majority of the IDPs in the camp came here by force due to war and security persecutions.
Some local NGOs provide a monthly food basket worth at 300,000 SYP ($20), which only supports a family of 5 to 10 individuals.
He appealed to the international community and local and international organizations to provide urgent relief aid, including shelter, food, clean water, and healthcare.
He calls for improving infrastructure and basic services in the camps, creating safe temporary housing units, clean water and sanitation services, as well as providing suitable job opportunities and vocational training programs.
Al-Awad emphasizes the need to establish psychological and social support centers and organize awareness programs and recreational activities to address the negative effects of the living conditions.