Guest post by Tommaso Della Longa, IFRC
As a result of the
Syrian conflict, there are currently 82,000 Syrians refugees living in Erbil, Iraq, according to Iraqi Red Crescent figures. Refugees are scattered all around the city but it’s not hard to find them. They are living in garages, unfinished buildings, and informal settlements and shelters. A few lucky families have found a room to rent.
Syrian refugees are living in tents and unfinished buildings in Erbil, Iraq. Photo credit: Tommaso Della Longa/IFRC
Kadija is 44 years old. She fled from Syria with her 4 children aged between 8 and 13 years old. Her husband died in Syria and she now lives in a tent in Erbil. “First we arrived in Turkey, but after one month we decided to come to Kurdistan where the language is much more familiar to us,” she said. “During the journey I lost my sister and we have not heard any information about her.” The family has been in the camp now for 18 months.
Kadija’s situation is particularly desperate, but she is receiving help from the local community.
“We are surviving because our Iraqi neighbours are cooking at least two or three times per week for us. We don’t have any problem with the local community. Sometimes I get daily work, but it’s not enough.”
Kadija and her family speaking to a member of the Iraqi Red Crescent. Photo credit: Tommaso Della Longa/IFRC
Many families come to Erbil in search of work, some to be in the city, and others because they say the camps on the outskirts are full. It is clear that despite the generosity of host communities
more support from the rest of the world is needed.
Sabah is now living in Iraq with her five sons but would like to return home. Photo credit : Wassem Al Bakri/Iraqi Red Crescent Society
Sabah, a 53-year-old Syrian refugee, arrived from the north west of Syria and is now living in Darashakran camp near Erbil, Iraq, with her five sons. Her husband died in Syria after a long illness. They want to come back home as soon as possible.
“Our main concerns are health, food, education and employment. We want to decide our future, we don’t want to be in a camp forever with nothing but empty days.”
It has been four years since the conflict began in
Syria, resulting in tremendous humanitarian needs throughout the region. Canadians are encouraged to donate to the
Syrian Crisis Fund to support relief efforts by Red Cross Red Crescent.