Open sewers in IDPs camps of Idlib pose a threat to displaced people
“Open sewers pose a threat to thousands of displaced people,” said dermatologist Safaa Osman, pointing out that open sewers are the main causes of diseases.
HADEEL AL-OMAR
Idlib- Open sewers in the internally displaced person (IDP) camps located in Idlib, a city occupied by the Turkish state in Syria, pose threat to thousands. Many children face the risk of falling into open sewers and the open sewers are the main causes of diseases, especially skin diseases.
41-year-old Laila Al-Anbi, a woman living in an IDPs camp in Idlib, thinks that open sewers pose a threat especially to children.
“We are always afraid of our children falling into open sewers. Many children died after falling into open sewers. Although I have warned my children not to play around the sewers many times, they have fallen into the sewers several times,” said Laila Al-Anbi. “I could have lost my children if the people in the camp had not helped them. The open sewers also cause bad smells spreading throughout the camp. Living in tents is very difficult for us and now we suffer from open sewers.”
‘There is an open sewer next to our tent’
38-year old Roaa Al-Haj Hussein lives in the Qah Camp for the displaced in northern Idlib. “There is an open sewer next to our tent. We suffer from sewer flies causing the spread of diseases. Due to the open sewers in the camp, my children suffer from many skin diseases such as scabies and leishmaniasis,” Roaa al-Haj Hussein told NuJINHA. “In summer, we will suffer more from open sewers. I call on all international organizations to the camp and see how open sewers pose a threat to our health.”
‘They pose a threat to thousands’
In an interview with NuJINHA, Safaa Osman, a dermatologist at a clinic in Idlib, emphasized that most of the people suffering from skin diseases are displaced children living in unofficial camps in northern Idlib.
“Open sewers in IDPs camps cause the spread of skin diseases such as lice, scabies, leishmaniasis and gastrointestinal diseases. The open sewers carry bacteria and viruses causing many diseases. Many camp residents do not have access to safe and clean toilets and have to use dirty water. This causes the spread of various diseases in the camps. The lack of clean water and open sewers pose a threat to thousands of people living in IDPs camps.”