UNHCR has already provided aid to hard-hit parts of the country. In addition to relief supplies such as tents, blankets and winter clothing, shelter is mainly provided. Last night, the organization distributed 9,440 kits, mainly to the elderly, disabled and children separated from their parents.
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The organization points out that for Syria it is a “crisis within a crisis”. The war had already displaced 6.8 million people before the earthquakes. In addition, it is now the middle of winter and there are snow storms in the affected areas. UNHCR employees also sleep outside because they are concerned about the instability of the buildings.
The difficult circumstances also have consequences for access to assistance. “Roads are damaged and that prevents us from reaching people,” concludes Sivanka Dhanapala, UNHCR representative in Syria.