2. Violence in the northwest has pushed people to the northeast
The escalation in northwest Syria began when opposition factions (Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham) launched a military operation towards Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. As the conflict intensified in the first days of the operations, opposition factions (Syrian National Army) targeted Tal Rifaat, a town full of camps hosting people displaced from nearby Afrin.
After several days of fierce fighting, the opposition seized control of Tal Rifaat, triggering around 80,000 people to leave, marking the second time they were displaced. These people have now crossed into northeastern Syria, arriving in Tabqa, Raqqa, and Hassakeh, an already fragile region facing significant humanitarian challenges. These include a healthcare system that is almost totally reliant on international support and funding, which has been continuously cut in recent years.
Meanwhile, clashes have now spread to Manbij, west of Raqqa, further threatening the region with another wave of displacement and increasing instability.
3. MSF is responding across the north, while trying to assess other areas
MSF teams are working across northern Syria responding to needs. In the northwest, we continue to provide people with medical care through our existing mobile clinics, health facilities, and hospitals. Since the end of November, we have donated trauma and surgical equipment to hospitals across the northwest. We’ve also provided hundreds of families with hygiene kits, mattresses, and blankets.
In northeastern Syria, we continue to provide general healthcare, treatment for non-communicable diseases and malnutrition, and mental health support. We also provide medical care and water in Al-Hol camp. In recent weeks, we have distributed more than 10,000 bottles of water, 200 large tents, infant formula packs and diapers, blankets, and mattresses to those in immediate need in Tabqa, where we have also started a mobile clinic. MSF teams in Tabqa, Raqqa, and Hassakeh are also addressing water and sanitation needs.
MSF did not have access to areas that were under the control of the former government of Syria. We are now negotiating with the new authorities in Damascus to secure access to areas under the control of the new government. Our teams are in touch with health organisations and partners to assess the needs in other parts of Syria, and see the possibilities to work in new locations, to increase our medical and humanitarian support to people in Syria.
Fonte original msf.org
