In North-West Syria, 13 years of conflict have left over 4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance to survive, and the situation only continues to deteriorate with no end to the conflict in sight. The devastating earthquakes in February 2023 further compounded the already desperate circumstances, significantly exacerbating humanitarian needs and adding to the struggle of displaced families in the region.
With the support of the European Union and other donors, GOAL teams are providing monthly cash assistance to more than 51,000 families, ensuring they can buy food and meet their basic needs. This support network includes families like those of Um Abdal and Hamoud.
"It's almost beyond belief, but our existence has been spoiled by relentless pain and suffering," says Um Abdal, a 40-year-old mother of 6 living in a camp close to the Türkiye border. "Looking back, it's a miracle we've managed to survive all these years," says her husband Hamoud.
The conflict in Syria over the past 13 years has forcibly displaced more than 11 million people and caused at least 350,000 deaths. Within the country, around 7.2 million individuals are internally displaced, while over 5 million have sought refuge across international borders.
Um Abdal, Hamoud, and their family, like many in North-West Syria, had no other option but to flee their home to survive. They now reside among the 2 million internally displaced persons in camps scattered throughout Idlib and Northern Aleppo.
Before the war, they had a good life with a nice home, fun times during holidays, and friendly neighbors. Hamoud used to be a taxi driver in the city of Aleppo, which is now heavily damaged.
"Work was stable, and our home was a place of laughter. But then, the war broke everything. We had to leave behind our home, our memories, all that was familiar. It's been a journey of pain and loss, one that we had never imagined we would have to endure," shares Um Abdal.
Her family has faced numerous challenges since being displaced and constantly moving in search of safety. They first sought refuge in a village in Idlib but were forced to flee when it was attacked in 2019. Their eldest son was killed, leaving their 3 young grandchildren without parents.
Overwhelmed by their loss, they made their way to Northern Aleppo, only to face yet another setback when the 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquakes leveled the warehouse where they were sheltering. Once again, they had to gather their strength and belongings and move, ending up in a displacement camp in Idlib.
"Now, my wife, all these children, and I live in this small block house," says Hamoud. "Imagine, with 10 people, we have 5 mattresses to share and 10 thin blankets to keep us warm. This area, on the outskirts of Kelly Mountain, is now filled with camps. Tens of thousands of families, uprooted by the conflict and disasters, live here. Yet, the area is in dire need of basic services. There are no schools, hospitals, or pharmacies. If you need anything, you must walk at least 5 kilometers to the nearest town. We're left to survive on our own, amid uncertainty."
"There aren't enough shoes for the children. They take turns with the shoes when they need to go out. We buy one set of clothes for the oldest child each year from a secondhand store. I try my best to make it last because it will be handed down to all the other kids," Um Abdal explains.
Um Abdal and Hamoud are among the recipients of EU-funded cash assistance. "It has been a blessing for us. It was like a celebration when we could buy sugar, lentils, bulgur wheat, and vegetable oil – not olive oil... it's been over 5 years since we've had the luxury of olive oil," says Hamoud.
"We were also able to purchase some food items we haven't enjoyed in a long time, like eggs. And my wife prepared a special meal for the children."
Hamoud, like many parents here, often skips his meals to ensure his children can eat. "Each morning, the first thing the children do is ask for food. They don't understand concepts like money or income; their world revolves around their basic needs," says Hamoud.
