Families continue to flee Baghuz to safety of Al-Hol camp, Syria

Continuing violence in Baghuz village in Hajin subdistrict, eastern rural Deir-ez-Zor is forcing families to flee their homes, making an arduous journey to Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, almost 300 kilometers to the north. The tented camp is now home to over 70,000 people, operating well beyond its capacity. New arrivals at the camp had been living in deteriorating humanitarian conditions for years and many are suffering malnutrition, medical conditions, fatigue and injuries, further exacerbated by the long journey to safety. Women and children are especially vulnerable and showing signs of distress. As of March 21, 138 deaths have been reported either on the way to the camp, shortly after arriving or after referral for treatment, over 80 per cent of whom are children. The main causes are identified as pneumonia, hypothermia, dehydration, severe diarrhea or complications from malnutrition.

UNICEF is supporting children and families at transit sites on the way to the camp, as well as in reception centres and inside the camp itself, providing much-needed 24/7 healthcare and immunization services through mobile and fixed health clinics, including screening children and pregnant women for malnutrition and common illnesses, providing necessary nutritional supplements and referring cases to hospitals in Hassakeh.

UNICEF also supports families at Al-Hol through the provision of safe drinking water, the establishment of latrines, shower units and water tanks, the distribution of hygiene items, blankets and winter clothes for children and the establishment of self-learning centres and child and adolescent friendly spaces, where children engage in psychosocial support to help them cope with their situation. A communal temporary shelter for new arrivals has been set up along with an interim care center for unaccompanied and separated children.