DELAL REMEZAN

Hasakah- The Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions occupied Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ayn) in 2019. After the occupation, thousands, including women and children, settled in Washokani camp, an internally displaced person (IDP) camp located 12 kilometers away from Hasakah Canton of North and East Syria. Due to the ongoing Turkish attacks, the number of displaced people living in the camp increases day by day. Displaced women living in the camp have to deal with difficult living conditions, especially in winter.

‘A radical solution is needed’

Malak Al-Saleh is one of the women living in the camp. Speaking about the difficult living conditions in the camp, she said, “Most of the tents are worn out. Rainwater leaks into the tents during the wet season. We cannot change our tents due to the lack of funding and support. Every year, we face a sewage problem in the camp. A radical solution is needed to end the suffering of the residents. All tents should be changed, the sewage problem should be solved, medical support should be provided to all families. International humanitarian aid organizations should visit the camp to see the difficult living conditions suffered by the displaced people. They should provide more support to displaced people and ensure the safe return of the displaced people.”

 She wants to return to her home

Sarah Al-Khader is a displaced woman from the Al-Manajir village of Serêkanîyê. She describes life in the camp as hell. “I have lived in the camp for five years. In the first years, we used to receive a lot of support, and then we received less support over time. Now, we have a very difficult living condition. Winter and rain caused our tents to wear out. We want to return to our homeland, our homes now.”

Rehan Sheikhi is another displaced woman from Serêkanîyê. “There is no privacy in the camp. Families of five or more live in a tent. In winter, rainwater leaks into our tents. Most of the tents are old and need repair. There have been no changes since the camp was opened. The international community should put pressure on the Turkish state so that displaced people can return to their homes safely.”

They are deprived of their most basic needs

“We are deprived of the most basic needs in the camp,” said Helen Muhammed. “Inside the tents is very cold. Rainwater leaks into our tents. Women suffer more from the difficult living conditions in the camp. We demand the end of the Turkish occupation so that we can return to our homes.”