Aid in northwest Syria remains vital

View of one of the refugee camps in Idlib province in northwest Syria, run by the Turkish Red Crescent. The region, which is not far from the Turkish border, is still controlled by the Syrian opposition. This is probably the reason why many displaced people from the conflict — already into its tenth year — have fled to this area.

In an internal report, UN Secretary-General Guterres stresses the importance of the supplies that the UN is bringing into the province from Turkey via the Bab al-Hawa border crossing: "Cross-border assistance remains lifesaving for millions of people in need in northwest Syria," he writes in a report seen by AFP. Just like these women queuing for food in the camp.

Options for leisure activities in the camps are limited. The refugees, who come from all parts of the country, do not know if and when they will be able to return home. Fighting has been going on in Syria for ten years, with no end to the conflict in sight.

The men pray and discuss, the children play and the women do the housework — not much else is possible in the refugee camps near the Turkish border. According to the UN, around 2.4 million people in the region are dependent on humanitarian aid. In the country as a whole, that figure rises to more than four million people.

The Syrian girls being taught in this classroom are among the lucky ones. While many children of school age live in Idlib province, there is a general lack of schools and teaching staff. This temporary school is located in Sarmada on the outskirts of Idlib and is run by the Turkish Red Crescent.

Winter is approaching and continuous humanitarian aid for the refugees must be ensured. The only way for aid to reach the rebel stronghold in Idlib province is via the Bab al-Hawa border crossing. But the authorization for the deliveries agreed by the USA and Russia expires on January 10.