HADEEL Al-OMAR

Idlib- The people living in Idlib under the occupation of the Turkish state and Turkish-backed faction Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham face difficult living conditions, especially in winter. Due to high prices of fuel, they have to burn household items and plastic to keep themselves warm. Smoke rising from burning items threatens public health.

 ‘Each winter is harsher than the previous one’

Hayat Al-Jaddou, a woman living in an IDPs camp in Idlib, complained about high fuel prices. “We were displaced from our village. We have stayed in this camp for five years. Each winter is harsher than the previous one. We have been facing difficult living conditions for five years and there is no positive development. Aid organizations cannot provide the necessary aid to keep us warm in the winter.”

Her four children got sick due to smoke rising from burning items

37-year-old Rana Al-Bekir is another displaced woman living in the camp. She has to burn household items and plastic although her four children suffer from asthma. “I have to burn household items and plastic to keep my children warm. My children now suffer from asthma due to smoke rising from burning items. All people living in the camp have to burn household items and plastic to keep them warm due to high prices of fuel. I have been living in the camp for six years and we face the same problems every winter.”

‘Burning unhealthy items can cause serious health problems in children’

Colds, flus and other respiratory illnesses are more common in winter, pediatrician Hanadi Al-Tamah said, “Burning unhealthy items can cause serious health problems in children. People burn household items and plastic to keep themselves warm in winter due to high fuel prices. These people need help to keep themselves warm in winter.”

Concerns about the increase in child mortality

The members of the NGOs in Idlib express their concern about the increase in child mortality. “The displaced people have to burn household items and plastic to keep themselves warm in winter. The smoke rising from burning items can lead to respiratory disorders among old people and children.”