UNHCR assesses humanitarian situation of new arrivals to Jibreen

On Thursday, 23 March, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency team in Aleppo conducted a field visit to AL-Mahalej collective shelter in Jibreen to attest the humanitarian situation of 250 families (around 1200 individuals) who fled recently from different eastern rural villages in Aleppo mainly from Dair Hafer and nearby villages to reach the safer areas of Jibreen in Jabal Samaan.

“I hope to go back soon to my village to start a new normal life”

Abu Saddam, who fled the hardship and danger in extremist-held Deir Hafer to reach safety in Jibreen said, “I hope to go back soon to my village to start a new normal life and be able to move to Aleppo freely and follow up on the medical situation of my little daughter. Hope she can then walk.”

 

Photo credit: ©UNHCR/M.Hamam

 

Heavy clashes took place in rural eastern-Aleppo had forced hundreds of families to make an escaping trip for about three days walking on feet and driving through mud and mine fields which resulted in many killed and many others injured.

“Some of the families were able to bring some of their belongings in their own vehicles, while others had brought nothing with them except the clothes they wear, most of these people are women, children and elderly.”, said Manaf, a field staff from UNHCR.

Initial assessments by UNHCR’s team found that these people need immediate proper relief aid, especially mattresses, sleeping mats, blankets, clothes and shoes, as many of them are bare food and wear torn dirty clothes.

A total of 5,275 people are housed in Jibreen collective shelter, UNHCR continues to provide much-needed services to support the displaced population currently residing in Jibreen. At the same time, efforts are ongoing to expand the much-needed protection activities to the new arrivals. UNHCR has recognized the vast needs, where people have experienced the effects of the severe urban conflict, multiple displacements, trauma and distress affecting their psychological well-being, exacerbating the risk of negative coping mechanisms.

 

  • Manaf Hamam contributed to reporting from Aleppo.

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