Amid disastrous living conditions | Displaced people from Afrin express dissatisfaction with relief organisations’ indifference

Aleppo province: Residents who have been forced to displace from Afrin to camps in north Aleppo are struggling with dire living conditions in light of acute lack of basic services and products, especially relief supplies and heating materials, as well as the prohibitively high prices with the region being under the siege of the regime-backed Fourth Division.

The displaced people have expressed their discontent regarding their catastrophic situation, amid the current spell of harsh weather. Furthermore, prices of basic essentials have increased to levels unaffordable by the many people who have been forced out of Afrin, while fuels, including diesel and gas, are not available.

Afrin’s displaced people have accused relevant authorities and humanitarian organisations of “providing no assistance to civilians,” which has inreased their sufferings further.

Speaking to SOHR, a civilian from Afrin known by his initials as R. M. says, “the price of diesel have jumped to 800,000 SYL, while the price of a gas cylinder has reached 80,000 SYL. However, diesel and gas cylinders are not available on markets due to they are stockpiled by greedy merchants. Accordingly, over 200,000 displaced people have been deprived of diesel during winter. In light of inaction by the local and international organisations which have provided no relief assistance or oil products to civilians, I found myself was forced to set fire to old shoes and clothes for heating; this, in turn, led to respiratory disease to my children.”

The man added, “local councils in areas under the control of the Autonomous Administration told us that regime forces have prevented the entry of oil products to this area for four years. However, fuel is available to hundreds of vehicles of these councils. It is also available during the daily demonstrations staged by the Autonomous Administration. I appeal to the Autonomous Administration and relief organisations to secure fuel to displaced people of Afrin, before the situation is worsened further.”