Children fleeing war in Aleppo face hunger as they seek saftey in the open. Credit Caritas Syria
Families with nowhere else to run, hide from the sun on the dusty streets of the Syrian city of Aleppo. They’re fleeing heavy fighting in the eastern part of town between government and rebel forces.
An old man sitting on the ground, covers his frail body in a wool blanket despite the 40 degree heat. He is waiting for his clothes to dry. “The only thing that I need right now is something to cover my body,” he said.
A father takes care of his four children as best he can after being forced from their homes by the battle. Their mother is dead. The children tremble from the sound of nearby shells.
He feeds his children bread and tomato sauce. It’s all he could find. He asked the Caritas team to share the meal, the only food they have for the day. “We don’t forget about our traditions even when we are in a tough situation,” he said.
Syria’s largest city pre-war has been divided into government and rebel areas of control for much of the 5-year conflict.
An upsurge of intense fighting has left a quarter of a million people trapped in the rebel-held east of the city, while those nearby the fighting have abandoned their homes in fear if they can.
In a war already marked by humanitarian crisis, the United Nations says the fighting threatens to replicate deprivation recently suffered by those in rebel-held eastern districts of Aleppo among civilians living in the government-held west. Credit Caritas Syria
Caritas staff in Aleppo met with 150 families forced to flee, now living in the streets in safer parts of the city. Most of the children were hungry. Parents are unable to buy any food for them. The food stock is decreasing drastically.
“I’m very sad about these people fleeing their own places, running away from death,” said Rana Krait, a Caritas case worker in Aleppo. “I’m heartbroken seeing the kids. They have done nothing bad, they deserve to live in a better situation.”
Families have gone without running water for days. There are no bathrooms available for these families. For toilets, they are using the nearby groves. “It’s upsetting to see the children taking a shower outdoors using the cold water,” said Fadel, another Caritas aid worker in Aleppo. “I saw a little boy begging someone to get a small bite from his sandwich to feed his empty stomach.”
A lot of elderly and children need medication. A lot of people are suffering from terrible mosquitoes bites. There is an urgent need for shelter, blankets, kitchen equipment, clothes, milk for children, water, food and medicine. Caritas Syria will offer food and medical support.
Caritas has activated the emergency funds to provide each family with financial support for rent and clothes.
Caritas Syria will offer food and medical support. Caritas has activated the emergency funds to provide each family with financial support for rent and clothes. Credit Caritas Syria
In a war badly scared by humanitarian crisis, the latest fighting could replicate the deprivation recently suffered by those in rebel-held eastern districts of Aleppo among civilians living in the government-held west.
“I wake up every day hopping to see a drop of water coming from the tap, but unfortunately nothing comes out,” said Fadel, who lives in west Aleppo. “This is our daily hope when there is no water in the city.”
In addition to acute lack of water, there is a fuel crisis in the city and electricity is always down. There are no jobs, prices are rising and food has become expensive.
The only thing in plentiful supply is fear.
“I’m very afraid that someday an armed group is going to come here and treats us very badly,” said Fadel. Rana Krait said, “My fear had always been the missiles, but my fear has been gone when that happened 3 months ago. I was injured and I had to stay in hospital.”
Syria has become the biggest emergency for Caritas. Almost 13.5 million people in Syria need assistance, 6.5 million people have been internally displaced.
Caritas members around the world are campaigning for peace in Syria.