ROCHELLE JUNIOR

Sweida- Women are the most affected by the war, clashes and crises in Syria. Women and children face difficulties in accessing their basic needs. Winter exacerbates their suffering.

 Women living in the Druze majority city of Sweida also suffer from deteriorating economic situation and power blackouts. “For years, I have collected firewood to protect us from the cold weather in winter. My two sons helped me to collect firewood but they had to go abroad last year because they reached the age of compulsory military service. They did not want to fight for the Syrian government. I cannot collect firewood alone now.”

In Syria, people monthly get 50 liters of fuel per family. “50 liters are insufficient to keep us warm in winter. For this reason, women have to collect firewood to keep themselves and their family warm in winter,” said Duha Muhammed, who also uses firewood to cook.

 Her sons dropped out of school

Mona Al-Ali is another woman suffering from the deteriorating economic situation in Syria. She works in agriculture to earn a living for her family. Her two sons dropped out of school to help her. In winter, she uses rainwater for irrigation. “Due to water shortage, we have to dig wells in summer.”

 What they earn is insufficient to meet their needs

Subhia Al-Omar earns a living for her family by shearing sheep in winter. Her family had to leave their village to find a job. She shears sheep the whole day in order to earn a living for her family. In summer, she earns a living by working as an agricultural worker during the harvest season. She has been working in both winter and summer for five years, “However, what we earn is insufficient to meet our needs.”