Struggles in Al-Hol Camp
Ahmad Abdullah Hammoud is one of the lucky few with extra food for his family. They live in the Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, where around 37,000 people, mostly women and children, are staying. Many of them are said to have ties to the Islamic State (IS) group.
Things got worse when a U.S. organization that provided food and other help suddenly stopped its work in the camp. This happened when Donald Trump became president, and many aid programs worldwide had to shut down. Blumont, the group that helped Al-Hol, briefly halted its services. Camp director Jihan Hanan said Blumont used to give out 5,000 bags of bread daily, costing about $4,000, which the local authorities could not afford.
Residents like Dirar al-Ali explain how hard it has become to find food, sometimes waiting until the afternoon just for bread. Hanan called the aid freeze “a disgraceful decision” and mentioned that some camp residents feel they should be allowed to leave if no food is available.
Although Blumont got a short break to start helping again, it’s unclear what will happen next. Mazloum Abdi, a leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces, said he has spoken to U.S. officials about this problem. He hopes they might find a way to help northeastern Syria again.
The camp is also worried about the possibility of IS attacking since the Syrian government has weakened recently. Camp security has been increased, but the situation remains tense.
The camp is overcrowded, with major issues like piles of trash and no paved roads. Many kids have nothing to do, and some even shouted at journalists visiting their home, saying negative things about them.
In the camp’s Annex section, a woman named Asmaa Ahmad from China waits with her four kids. She fears going back to her country because of possible punishment and hopes that IS members will one day rescue her family.
Hanan believes the camp is not a safe place for kids, and she urges countries to bring their citizens home to stop children from learning extremist ideas. U.S. leaders have been pushing for the repatriation of citizens stuck in camps like Al-Hol to avoid raising future IS supporters.
Some Syrians living in the camp wish to return to their homes now that the government situation has changed. Those in charge of the camp have said that any Syrian who wants to leave can do so. However, Hanan warns that if U.S. aid stops again, it could create a disaster for everyone living there.
This article shows the struggles and uncertainties faced by many families living in Al-Hol camp as they seek safety and basic needs.