SYRIA: Many schools and hospitals in the Syrian capital Damascus and its suburbs are turned into shelters to accommodate the growing number of people displaced by fighting. But some of the displaced fear homelessness as school year starts.
Record ID:
281711
SYRIA: Many schools and hospitals in the Syrian capital Damascus and its suburbs are turned into shelters to accommodate the growing number of people displaced by fighting. But some of the displaced fear homelessness as school year starts.
- Title: SYRIA: Many schools and hospitals in the Syrian capital Damascus and its suburbs are turned into shelters to accommodate the growing number of people displaced by fighting. But some of the displaced fear homelessness as school year starts.
- Date: 16th September 2012
- Summary: DOUMMAR, SYRIA (SEPTEMBER 16, 2012) (REUTERS-ACCESS ALL) ENTRANCE TO POLICE HOSPITAL CLOTHES HANGING OUTSIDE HOSPITAL COURTYARD MEN AND CHILDREN IN ROOMS CHILDREN (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DISPLACED FROM ALEPPO HASSAN KHALIL SAYING: "We left because of fear and for the sake of our children. We left Aleppo and came to Damascus". MEMBERS OF KHALIL'S FAMILY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DISPLACED FROM ALEPPO HASSAN KHALIL SAYING: "If we had to return to our homes we would return but if not we will stay here. This is better than sleeping in the streets. We have everything we need in terms of food and water. Thank God!" DISPLACED PEOPLE IN HOSPITAL CORRIDOR CLOSE UP OF BOY VARIOUS OF CHILDREN VARIOUS OF NURSE VACCINATING CHILDREN MOTHER TAKING CHILD AWAY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) VOLUNTEER ALAA KHALIL SAYING: "Sure, the number (of displaced people) is increasing. When they arrive here and see the situation, especially that we provide them with shelter, food and everything else, they call their relatives who are also in need. We can secure more sanctuaries. Even if the number (of displaced persons) increases we are going to offer our homes to them. They are Syrians so they are part of our families". FOOD SUPPLIES IN ROOM SIGN READING "SPANISH RED CROSS" SUPPLIES IN ROOM
- Embargoed: 1st October 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Syrian Arab Republic
- Country: Syria
- Topics: Conflict,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA7H0S3G73WAJH43HRW7IA1YV0F
- Story Text: Tens of thousands of Syrians moved into schools, hospitals and other public buildings after air strikes and fighting drove them from their homes.
Over five thousand displaced Syrians found shelter in Damascus schools.
"They (volunteers) are doing their best but we are not content because no place is better than home", said Fatima Alo whose family fled their house in Tadamon two months ago.
According to the United Nations figures, there are more than 2.5 million Syrians who were displaced inside Syria and more than 225.000 who fled to the neighbouring countries. Activists say 27,000 people have been killed in the 18-month-old uprising against Assad.
"Even our children are in a bad psychological state now because they are scared and tired. We hope we will return to our homes", Fatima Alo said.
But some of tens of thousands of displaced Syrians who found refuge at schools could be on the move again after the government revealed plans to start the school year despite unrelenting violence.
Panic has spread through displaced communities in roughly 800 schools around the country, each housing hundreds of men, women and children with nowhere to go.
Education Minister Hazwan al-Wazz told state television last week the government was ready to start the school year on Sunday "despite the destruction of around 2,000 schools by terrorists", a term authorities use for the anti-Assad rebels.
In rebel-held Syria, fighters have taken over the two-storey school buildings to use as bases. They have pushed the tables to the side to make space for guns and ammunition or sleeping quarters, and some classrooms are used for prisoners. In return, Assad's forces have dropped bombs over these converted schools and many stand in ruin. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says that the ministry of education had reported that nearly 10 percent of 22,000 schools across the country have been damaged or destroyed.
Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs said that after the beginning of the school year displaced people can find new shelter in other public facilities such as hospitals.
Hassan Khalil and his family escaped from Aleppo to Damascus. They had to sleep in a park for several days before finding shelter in a hospital in Damascus suburb Doummar.
"We left because of fear and for the sake of our children. We left Aleppo and came to Damascus", said Hassan Khalil, who shares a room with seven members of his family.
"If we had to return to our homes we would return but if not we will stay here. This is better than sleeping in the streets. We have everything we need in terms of food and water. Thank God," he added.
Alaa Khalil, a volunteer working at a shelter at police hospital in Doummar said the number of displaced seeking shelter in Damascus is steadily growing: "Sure, the number (of displaced people) is increasing. When they arrive here and see the situation, especially that we provide them with shelter, food and everything else, they call their relatives who are also in need. We can secure more sanctuaries. Even if the number (of displaced persons) increases we are going to offer our homes to them. They are Syrians so they are part of our families", said Khalil.
Assad's forces and the out-gunned but increasingly effective rebel fighters seeking his overthrow have ignored appeals to end the conflict, which continues to affect most of Syria's main cities, including Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Deir al-Zor. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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