Syrians in Idlib camps struggle with scorching temperatures

By Mehmet Burak Karcaoglu

IDLIB, Syria (AA) - Forcibly displaced civilians living in camps in Syria's northwestern Idlib province are struggling with scorching temperatures.

The temperature in Idlib province, which shelters hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians who have fled intense attacks by the Bashar al-Assad regime, reached 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) this summer, bringing life to a standstill.

On some days, the temperature shot up to 50 C making it extremely difficult for the inhabitants of tents which are exposed directly to sunlight.

Typically, summer spans the months of June to August in Syria.

Dr. Ahmad Hamdam, who works at a hospital of the Syrian American Medical Society, a non-profit organization working in Idlib, told Anadolu Agency that the scorching temperatures cause various diseases, such as food poisoning and heat cramps among children.

"Infants are particularly at risk. They catch diseases such as cholera and tachycardia or have difficulties in breathing," he added.

Hamza Dibo, the refugee leader of a camp in Harbanush village of Idlib, noted that everyone living in the camps needs basic living materials.

Although the relief agencies provide 28 liters of water per family every day, Dibo said: "We don't find enough water to drink."

"We demand that relief agencies increase water support to civilians during the extremely hot summer days. On hot days, we have no shelter other than tents and the shade of trees," he added.

Ibrahim Rahmun, a resident, said: "The camp residents suffer from many diseases such as diarrhea, tonsillitis, intestinal inflammation, and chest infections."

The Syrian civil war began in 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protesters.

According to UN estimates, hundreds of thousands of people have since been killed and millions more displaced.