During a press briefing in New York, Farhan Haq announced that the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, gained access to the Al Hol camp on Friday, alongside officials from the Syrian government, and was able to establish communication with some of the camp’s residents. The delivery of essential supplies has also recommenced. Al Hol camp is recognized as one of the largest displacement centers in the area, accommodating tens of thousands of individuals, primarily women and children, many of whom are reportedly related to ISIL fighters.
UN agencies have consistently raised alarms about the grave humanitarian conditions within the camp, which include overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, limited access to water and sanitation, and ongoing safety and security threats. They have repeatedly called for sustainable solutions such as safe repatriation, reintegration, and returns in accordance with international law. “Today, trucks carrying bread entered the camp, facilitated by UNHCR, following a three-day break in deliveries due to the unstable security situation within the camp,” Mr. Haq stated, noting that water trucks arrived on Thursday, which helped to restore some basic services for the camp’s population.
Located in northeastern Syria, Al Hol camp shelters tens of thousands, including internally displaced Syrians and relatives of suspected former combatants. UN agencies have long cautioned that the combination of insecurity, overcrowding, and insufficient services places residents—many of whom are women and children—at significant risk. UN agencies and their humanitarian partners have reiterated their commitment to assist the Syrian authorities in providing humanitarian aid, while emphasizing the urgent need to ensure security within the camp. They also highlighted the necessity of facilitating the transfer of personnel and supplies between Al-Hasakeh and Qamishli.
Concerns in Aleppo
In addition to the situation at Al Hol, the circumstances in Kobani, located in Aleppo Governorate, are also troubling. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that all access roads to the city are currently blocked, and interruptions to electricity, water, and internet services are hindering access to essential needs. Partners have begun to report shortages of food, critical supplies, and medications, although health facilities continue to function, Mr. Haq noted.
