Action Against Hunger warns of the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in north-eastern Syria, particularly in the governorate of Al-Hasakeh, where armed clashes and bombings have been reported on the outskirts of the city in the last few days, with confirmed civilian casualties. Our teams, which have been present in Al-Hasakeh since 2008, implementing WASH, food security, health, nutrition and livelihoods projects, have activated enhanced contingency measures in response to this situation.
The deteriorating situation is having an immediate impact on families: civilian movement is extremely limited, with areas subject to restrictions and closures. Markets and shops are closed, making it difficult to access food, water, and essential items.
Uncertainty about a possible escalation is generating a deep sense of fear, especially among displaced families.
According to data collected by humanitarian partners, thousands of people have already fled from Ar-Raqqa, Tabqa and rural areas to Al-Hasakeh and Qamishli, many of them in severe winter conditions and housed in collective shelters, schools and public buildings. Shelter capacities are overwhelmed, with urgent needs for water, food, blankets, hygiene kits, and non-food items.
“Families are arriving with only the clothes on their backs, in the middle of winter and with increasingly limited access to basic services. We are very concerned about people who are trapped by violence or who have had to flee without any guarantee of safety,” says Suzanne Takkenberg, regional director of Action Against Hunger in Syria and Lebanon.
Power cuts and insecurity have affected water pumping and treatment stations, compromising access to drinking water for more than a million people in various areas of the north-east of the country.
The pressure on health centres is also increasing. Hospitals like Al-Hasakeh have received dozens of wounded people and are facing shortages of medical equipment, medical transport, and essential supplies.
Our teams are already working on several intervention options, ready to be activated when security conditions allow:
“Our priority is twofold: to protect our staff and to be prepared to respond quickly and effectively as soon as the security situation allows,” explains Takkenberg.
Action Against Hunger stresses the need to:
More information and interviews with spokespersons contact: info@actionagainsthunger.ca
Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 56 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.
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