Severe winter conditions in Syria bring new struggles for displaced families

Topics: Syria Crisis fund, Emergencies and Disasters Worldwide
January 21, 2015

Syrian Arab Red Crescent teams continue responding to thousands of beneficiaries.

by Rima Kamal, Middle East and North Africa Program Officer

I recently caught myself grumbling about the seemingly endless cold snap we’re experiencing here in Ottawa, and it reminded me of a few days I spent in Syria last winter. There, I met a mother of four named Laila who now lives with her family in a displacement camp in a city called Latakia in northern Syria

“We had to flee our home at 4 a.m. on an August morning as a mortar shell landed on our balcony,” Laila told me. “I pulled my children out of their beds and ran out. There was no time to collect any of our personal belongings – identity papers, school certificates or winter clothes.”

Sitting in Laila’s cold tent with my warm coat on and the wind blowing outside, the hopelessness of their situation tugged at my heart. The protruding toes of Laila’s youngest son and his oversized adult slippers were a reminder that most families are unequipped to deal with the wet, cold weather.

The story of Laila and her family is the story of thousands of Syrian families driven from their homes by the ongoing conflict. The lucky ones had time to prepare, to carry along some assets or stashed-away savings. The unfortunate ones, like Laila and her four children, left with absolutely nothing.

Displaced Syrians are finding themselves in a place they never imagined. Huddled in shared accommodations, public shelters, unfinished buildings or tents, in poor living conditions, they await the end of a conflict which has been raging for close to four years. 

This winter is particularly harsh. A recent storm swept across the region in the first week of January, leaving 11 dead and worsening the suffering and the vulnerability of hundreds of thousands of displaced Syrians.

Canadians wishing to support the enormous humanitarian relief and recovery efforts in Syria and surrounding countries are encouraged to donate to the Syria Crisis Fund online

Funds raised will go to support emergency efforts by the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. This will include relief items such as blankets, sleeping mats, food parcels and hygiene items, medical supplies, equipment and emergency personnel. 

Photo: Islam Mardini/SARC

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