Situation Report:
Civilians Fleeing from Deir Ezzor to Al-Sadd camp in Hasakah
August 12, 2017
The increased frequency of military actions in Deir Ezzor recently and the intensified shelling have led to increased displacement of civilians to the southern countryside of Hasakah, which is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This has coincided with a decision released by ISIS that young men between 20 and 30 years must be recruited to fight. This report attempts to highlight the situation of the civilians fleeing to these SDF-held areas.
- Civilian flight from Deir Ezzor:
ISIS is enforcing a complete ban on the exit of civilians out of the province, forcing the civilians who want to flee to ask help from smugglers who, in return, take advantage of the situation to their benefit. The cost to take someone out of ISIS areas to SDF areas reaches up to roughly $1,000 US Dollars. The exit journey is often fraught with danger and threats as a result of widespread minefields or fear of ISIS soldiers.
Some of those fleeing reported that they followed very difficult roads across al-Badia (the desert) in a journey that may last for 48 hours and be fraught with threats. The first SDF checkpoint is in a village called Abo Khashab, located in the middle of al-Badia. Civilians are gathered in cars and trucks there in order to be forcibly and randomly distributed to camps. In addition, the fleeing civilians may pay a cost of up to 4,000 Syrian Pounds per person as a transportation fee to al-Sadd camp.
- Al-Sadd camp:
Al-Sadd camp is located in the south of Hasakah province, which is about 20 km far from the center of the province and about 3 km from al-Aresha village. This camp is located in a barren dessert which does not support the lowest standards of life. It contains about 400 tents. The displaced civilians there are estimated to number 5,000. The current campground was formerly a center for the refining of crude oil, which increases the risk of cancer and epidemics.
- General situation within the camp:
- People are forcibly entered to the camp and they are not allowed to leave. Their IDs and identification papers are confiscated as soon as they enter the camp.
- There were verbal threats made by the military administration of the camp after the displaced people asked for permission to leave. These demands are often faced with the threat to bring them back to ISIS areas. All of this has resulted in daily escapes from the camp. If those fleeing are caught, they are brought back to the camp or arrested.
- If someone wishes to enter Hasakah city they must pay 100,000 Syrian Pounds in order to exit the camp, and they must bring a sponsor who owns property in the city of Hasakah. This situation has meant many families who have lived in Hasakah for years are unable to receive the rest of their family members who have fled since they do not own property within Hasakah.
- For those who wish to leave to other areas such as Manbij, al-Bab, Ezas, etc. they must pay huge amounts of money. For example, the transportation fee from al-Nashwa neighborhood in Hasakah city to Manbij city costs 75,000 Syrian Pounds, including payments for the SDF checkpoints along the way as a crossing fee.
- Basic services in the camp:
- Water reaching the camp is not safe to use because it comes from a nearby reservoir (al-Bassil) that is contaminated with oil refining waste. The amount of water entering the camp is sufficient for no more than 10 percent of the civilians in the camp, as the amount of water that enters daily does not exceed 30 barrels. As for drinking water, people must buy it from vendors from nearby villages at very high prices. The cost of one bottle of water (2 liters) is about 200 Syrian Pounds.
- There are no service facilities in the camp, where there are no toilets or bathrooms at all. This is a catastrophic situation, particularly for women. What makes matters worse is that the passages between tents have become public toilets in the open, which leads to bad smells and diseases among camp residents.
- There is no electricity at all, and people charge their cellphones from cars that come to the camp from nearby villagers who have agreements with the camp administration and the SDF. The cost to charge a cellphone is 100 Syrian Pounds.
- Medical services: There is a medical point that does not provide any medical services, despite the need for treatment and urgent medical intervention (birth, war injuries, etc.). Civilians seeking treatment are not allowed to leave the camp, resulting in civilian deaths. There have been cases of scabies, lice, diarrhea, etc. – especially among children – due to lack of hygiene and medical care.
- Relief situation: there are no relief organizations operating in the camp adequately. There is only one relief organization providing simple food aid and at intervals.
Recommendations
- Change the camp’s location quickly as an urgent matter because the camp is located in an area which was previously a place for oil refining. This means that there is contaminated soil and a polluted surrounding environment, which will have a significant effect on the women, children and men who are in the camp.
- Put the camp under the supervision of international organizations or bodies.
- Facilitate the passage of fleeing civilians and do not force them to remain in the temporary established camps. The process of holding the official papers of the fleeing civilians must be regulated in a legal manner that respects and protects the dignity of the people.
- Work to secure means of transportation that facilitate the journey of civilians fleeing from ISIS controlled areas to safer areas such as those of the SDF. The escape journey lasts 48 hours.
- Provide basic needs for the preservation of the dignity of fleeing civilians, such as food, water, electricity, cooking supplies and tents. Supporting countries and the United Nations must intensify their assistance to civilians, and particularly those countries participating in military operations against ISIS.
- Work to establish water and sanitation units in the camp as an urgent matter. Currently the areas between the tents are being used as open-air bathrooms and there is no water for drinking or bathing.
- Work to establish a medical point within the camp in order to provide medical services to the displaced and provide vaccines to children.
- Allow free movement to and from the camp and especially for critical medical cases.