Rehabilitate, repair tents to keep Syrians warm during winter

SHAH ALAM- Extreme winter weather is putting already-overburdened populations in Syria in immediate danger, resulting in the highest degree of acute humanitarian needs in the country especially in providing shelter for the people.

ATAA Relief public relations coordinator Mohammad Abdulatiff said there were cases where children died from the harsh weather.

“When we are talking about crisis during winter, you should imagine that more than one million people are living in camps consisting of really weak tents,” he said.

Mohammad said this during an exclusive interview with Sinar Daily on its Fireside Chat programme entitled "Syria: Still Under Fire".

He said the tents used as shelters should be rehabilitated and repaired in terms of the isolation of water and snow to keep the people warm.

“We are talking about human beings that used to live in a normal condition.

“Imagine, for example, a family living in a home with normal life and suddenly, they need to live in a tent with no toilet, kitchen and electricity,” he said.

He added that due to this, many have died, especially the children.

Each year, he said United Nations (UN) agencies tried mitigate the harsh winter weather by replacing the tents.

However, he said, this was not a solution to help them.

“Nowadays, some local non-governmental organisations tried to build concrete housing units to avoid the crisis in the winter.

“It is not that easy, but we believe that with the cooperation between all parties and NGos, we will achieve something,” he added.