More than 200 thousand IDPs have been settled in Kobanê

Since the beginning of the attacks on North and East Syria, the population has been forced to migrate to safer areas. Around 200 thousand people have been settled in more than 70 different locations in Kobanê.

Speaking to ANF, Co-Chair of the Labor and Social Affairs Committee Ehmed Xoce noted that Kobanê is under siege from all four sides and continued: “After the waves of attacks against the cities of North and East Syria, large waves of migration were directed toward Kobanê. Following the start of the attacks on the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah in Aleppo, people from both neighborhoods and from all other areas attacked by armed factions had to move to Kobanê. The IDPs are currently struggling to survive under critical conditions. They have been placed in schools, universities, mosques, wedding halls, academies, and many other locations. In Kobanê, nearly every house is hosting four to five families together.”

More than 200 thousand people have migrated to Kobanê

Drawing attention to the situation of the IDPs, Xoce said: “Hundreds of thousands of people are sheltering in the city of Kobanê. Despite snow, rain, and cold weather conditions, the people are trying to survive with the limited means available to them. We are currently working to clarify the exact number of IDPs here, but according to estimates, the figure has exceeded 200 thousand. Since Kobanê is under siege, the IDPs are deprived of many basic necessities. Some supplies are being delivered through informal routes, but prices have increased two to three times.”

The property and belongings of the displaced are looted

Ehmed Xoce continued: “The houses and properties of the displaced population are being looted, their belongings are being stolen, and some homes are being burned. We have documents confirming this. We have repeatedly held meetings with the Aleppo Governorate and made initiatives, especially to enable the IDPs to return to their homes, but no results have been achieved so far. On the contrary, some people are settling in those houses, or damaging, looting, and burning them.”

Xoce concluded with the following warning: “If the current situation and the siege continue in this way, a serious humanitarian disaster may occur. As the Labor and Social Affairs Committee, we will stand by our displaced people until the end.”