HADEEL Al-OMAR

Idlib- The ongoing Syrian war and conflict make life more difficult for people living in Idlib, occupied by the Turkish state and Turkish-backed Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The displaced people living in Idlib’s IDPs camps struggle to survive without drinking water and garbage collection service. Garbage collection in the camps have been stopped since international organizations suspended funding. Women living in the camps burn trash to prevent bad odor; however, the smoke from burning trash causes lung and chest diseases.

 ‘Garbage poses an increasing risk’

“Garbage collection was stopped months ago,” said Meryem Al-Najma, a displaced woman living in one of the IDPs camps. “The uncollected garbage poses an increasing risk to human health. Despite the high temperature, I have to close our tent’s door and windows due to bad odor coming from the garbage. No solution has been found for this problem yet.”

‘Two of my children got scabies’

“The uncollected garbage is putting our health at risk,” said Fatima Al-Asmar, who lives in one of the IDPs camps in Sarmada, north of Idlib city. “Two of my children got scabies due to the uncollected garbage. The officials ignore our complaints. As women, we collect garbage and leave them far from the camp. However, this is a temporary solution. We suffer from displacement and poverty. The uncollected garbage makes our life more difficult.”

‘Garbage poses an increasing risk to human health and environment’

“Uncollected garbage poses an increasing risk to human health and environment,” said Hala Al-Osman, a dermatologist in Idlib. “Diseases are on the rise among people living in camps, especially children, women and the elderly. The most common diseases among people are leishmaniasis, scabies, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, lung and chest diseases and shortness of breath.”