MIDEAST-STORM/REFUGEES Syrian refugees in Jordan's Zaatari camp face harsh conditions as snow storm hits region

Record ID: 274718

  • Title: MIDEAST-STORM/REFUGEES Syrian refugees in Jordan's Zaatari camp face harsh conditions as snow storm hits region
  • Date: 8th January 2015
  • Summary: ZAATARI CAMP, MAFRAQ, JORDAN (JANUARY 8, 2015) (REUTERS) TENTS IN ZAATARI REFUGEE CAMP COVERED BY SNOW VARIOUS OF AMBULANCE DRIVING THROUGH REFUGEE CAMP VARIOUS OF SYRIAN REFUGEE REMOVING SNOW FROM TENT VARIOUS OF TENT DAMAGED BY SNOW SYRIAN REFUGEES ON CARAVAN REMOVING SNOW (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ABU MOHAMMAD, A SYRIAN REFUGEE, SAYING: "The weather conditions are really dif
  • Embargoed: 23rd January 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jordan
  • Country: Jordan
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA6FSIE72CL6EXMXM0YP0MCU6F8
  • Story Text: Syrian refugees in Jordan's main Zaatari refugee camp appealed for help on Thursday (January 8) after a regional storm buffeted the Middle East with blizzards, rain and strong winds.
    Snowfall and gales destroyed some refugee tents in Zaatari. Families and children gathered around the fire to keep warm.
    "The weather conditions are really difficult. It was heavily snowing here Yesterday. We evacuated many people yesterday evening to schools because their tents were damaged from storms and snow. It is a tough tragedy. The situation is really difficult for people. Some people's tents were damaged and there is no electricity nor heating. There is nothing," said a Syrian refugee named Abu Mohammad.
    The storm is forecast to last several days, threatening further disruption in Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Jordan, Israel, the West Bank as well as Gaza Strip, which have all been affected.
    The temperatures, which usually average 13 Celsius (55.4 Fahrenheit ) this time of the year have plunged to 2 to zero Celsius (35.6-32 Fahrenheit), Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said on Tuesday (January 6).
    According to UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees) Zaatari refugee camp houses over 70,000 Syrian refugees.
    Abu Raafat, another refugee, said caravans and heaters were required to help refugees survive the tough weather conditions.
    "We ask for caravans and heaters. Yesterday we evacuated some people to schools because it was a disaster. The tents were damaged and all the carpets were soaked by the water. We ask in the first place for caravans and heaters for people," he told Reuters.
    The United Nations launched a winter cash assistance programme to provide for 41,000 Syrian refugee children in camps in Jordan.
    The Norwegian Refugee Council said the assistance was insufficient and said this could prove fatal for the refugees.
    A 35-year old Syrian shepherd and an eight-year old boy with him died in the storm in the mountainous area between Lebanon and Syria, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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