Displaced Syrians Struggle to Survive Winter by Burning Trash : Analysis

Displaced Syrians in Informal Camps Struggle to Stay Warm and Dry in Winter

Residents of an informal camp just north of Idlib are bracing themselves for the harsh winter conditions. Fateem al-Yousef, who has been displaced since the early years of the Syrian war, fears for her family’s well-being as they prepare for the rains. The camp, located in Kafr Yahmul, is home to 70 families who live on rented land.

Fateem vividly remembers her family’s first day in the camp, which coincided with heavy rain. Water leaked into their tent, making the situation extremely difficult, especially considering they had young children and lacked heating. With the soaring price of diesel, displaced people in northwest Syria are resorting to burning pistachio shells, hazelnuts, olives, and other scraps to keep warm. However, even these alternatives prove costly for the camp residents.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), around 2.7 million people in Syria require urgent aid this winter. In addition to the high cost of living, unemployment, and inflation, Syrians also face ongoing displacement and the lingering effects of the earthquakes that struck the country in February.

The scarcity of funding for humanitarian projects in Syria is likely to compound the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people in 2024, as warned by OCHA. Fateem and her family struggle to make ends meet despite their efforts to secure employment. The low wages they earn are barely enough to provide for their needs, let alone survive the winter.

Living nearby is Wadha al-Yousef, who, though not related to Fateem, hails from the same village. Wadha and her family rely on collecting scraps of cardboard, plastic, and nylon during the summer to burn for warmth in the winter, despite the health hazards this poses. Burning such waste emits harmful fumes that can lead to respiratory illnesses and infections, especially for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.

Forecasters predict that even though the autumn rain clouds were delayed this year, the winter cold and flooding will be as severe as ever, if not worse. Last year, 306 refugee camps in northwest Syria were flooded during the winter. This year, 874 out of 1,525 camps in the region are considered “vulnerable” to flooding, with 17 classified as “catastrophically” vulnerable. Existing tents lack insulation and proper protection from the rain and cold, leaving millions of people exposed to the elements.

To address this issue, David Carden, UN deputy regional humanitarian coordinator for the Syria crisis, suggests moving displaced families from tents to more durable and dignified shelters. However, the lack of funding has hindered progress in providing suitable shelters. Only one-third of the promised funding for 2023 has been received, making it challenging to replace tents frequently and upgrade to better housing solutions.

Overall, the article provides a firsthand account of the difficulties faced by displaced Syrians in informal camps during the winter. The sources, including Fateem and Wadha, provide personal insights and anecdotes, lending credibility to the article. The information presented aligns with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria, as reported by other reputable sources. There are no overt biases in the article, and the focus is on the challenges faced by the displaced population rather than any political agenda.

However, it is important to note that the article could benefit from additional diverse perspectives to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation. Furthermore, without additional context, readers might not be aware of the broader political and geopolitical factors influencing the crisis in Syria. The prevalence of fake news and misinformation in today’s political landscape may also affect how the public perceives the information presented. Critical thinking and fact-checking are necessary for readers to gain an accurate and nuanced understanding of the topic.

Source: Aljazeera news: Burning trash to stay warm, displaced Syrians struggle to survive winter