Because of the heavy siege imposed on Kobanê, now on its 23rd day, the entry of water, electricity, and all basic necessities into the city has been blocked.
Residents are compelled to use generators to pump water from wells and rely on that supply. Yet this water is not treated and does not meet network water standards. As a result, cases of illness in the city are steadily increasing.
According to doctors at Kobanê Hospital, around 200 people seek medical treatment every day with complaints of illness, the majority of whom are children.
Medications unavailable
A mother named Xewle Ehmed Mehmûd, whose child has fallen ill, stated that they are searching for medicine but cannot find any. She said: “My child has developed two or three illnesses at once. We are looking for medicine but cannot find it. Some pharmacies had it, but they were selling it at very high prices, and now even those are no longer available. We are under siege, and illnesses are increasing day by day. Due to the cold weather, children in particular are getting sick, and even milk is unavailable. We demand that this siege be lifted immediately.”
Zirîfe Mihemed, who suffers from heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure, stated that she moved from Raqqa to Kobanê and said: “We have lived by constantly migrating. Our home and property were in Raqqa. Everything was stolen. I am also ill; I suffer from heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. I have ended up in this situation because of the hardships I have endured. Our medicines are not available. We have been in the hospital for two days. During these two days, we receive the medicines that can be found, but we cannot obtain those that are unavailable. Kobanê is currently under siege and everything is closed. As patients, we call on the authorities to fulfill their responsibilities.”
Every day, hundreds of people go to Kobanê Hospital due to water shortages and the consumption of contaminated water. As a result, illnesses in the city are steadily increasing, and the risk of more severe epidemics is growing.
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