Refugees from Afrin – who have been living in Serdem Refugee Camp in Shahba Canton (Herêma Şahba) in Northern Syria since the Turkish state’s attacks – are having to rely on their own meagre resources to survive the harsh winter conditions.
The refugee camp – which is also under blockade by the Damascus government and has not been helped by any humanitarian and human right organizations – has been detrimentally affected by floods and the arrival of winter. The refugees are relying on their own meagre resources to try and cover their basic living needs whilst they live in dilapidated barracks or tents. Stating that the camp has been flooded since the heavy rains, Ferid Oso, one of the administrators of Serdem Camp, holds international institutions responsible for the difficulties the refugees face.
Oso stated that no organization or international organization supports them. Most of the tents that refugees shelter in are actually unlivable in. Emel Şêx Eli, a refugee living in the camp, says they have had to live in the camp under the most difficult conditions for three years. She added: “Our tents are flooded, especially in winter, when the rains increase”.
