General Supervisor of Qatar Charity’s Turkey branch: Qatari aid reaches rain-affected camps of Syrian IDPs – Syrian Arab Republic

The field teams of Qatar Charity (QC) in northern Syria assessed the conditions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the camps that suffered significant damage due to snowfall, rainfall, and storms. This coincided with the ongoing provision of winter assistance to alleviate the suffering of the most affected IDPs. The assistance is part of Qatar Charity’s “One Heart” winter campaign.

Mr. Yousuf bin Ahmed Al-Hammadi, the General Supervisor of Qatar Charity’s office in Turkey, said that the field teams have inspected the conditions of the affected IDPs in the camps of Ghurbal AlSham in Hazzanou and the adjacent camps in the Idlib Governorate. He added that the scale of the disaster is very large in these camps, as the current tents are worn out and do not protect the IDPs from rain and snow. He indicated that the roads are unpaved, leading to a disruption in the delivery of aid after the floods. He highlighted that the number of the IDPs families living in the tents exceeds 200,000, and they lack the essential needs.

He mentioned that, according to reports from the Camps Affairs Directorate, the number of affected camps has reached 400, and they require urgent assistance such as tents, road grading, emergency supplies, sanitation facilities, and non-food items.

He stated that Qatar Charity will continue to provide support to the affected, especially in light of the reduction in support from some international organizations, noting that Qatar Charity will distribute food packages and hygiene kits in the northern countryside of Aleppo and Idlib to contribute to alleviating the suffering of the affected.

Al-Hammadi pointed out that the recurring rain and snow every year cause significant damage to the camp residents. This necessitates the implementation of sustainable housing projects or the provision of caravans to overcome these annual challenges, reducing the severity of suffering and the damages resulting from severe cold, rain, and snowfall.

The General Supervisor of the Turkey branch expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the generous donors who contribute to improving the living conditions of the IDPs in northern Syria. He urged them to continue supporting the “One Heart” campaign for the benefit of the affected, emphasizing that their hardships are increasing year after year, and any generous donation, no matter how small, has a significant impact on them.

It is worth mentioning that Qatar Charity has distributed 618 hygiene baskets to the IDPs in the northern Syrian camps, including soap, cleaning supplies, towels, and basic hygiene items for families. In the coming days, Qatar Charity will provide 536 tons of coal and 228 heaters to be distributed to the most affected IDPs families in the camps. Moreover, 600 winter clothing kits for children, containing coats and winter shoes, will be distributed, in addition to the distribution of 1500 thick winter coats and 1500 high-quality double-thick blankets.

The assistance from the people of Qatar, provided through Qatar Charity, also includes 339 non-food packages that contain plastic insulators for tents, mattresses, and blankets. Additionally, there is the distribution of 2940 food packages containing essential food supplies to the camps in northern Syria and 650 packages for Syrian refugees in southern Turkey. These packages include the basic food items for the families.