Kongra Star published a report on the dramatic health situation of the refugees in Shehba. The report underlined that the conditions are deteriorating both because of the attacks by the Turkish state and the embargo imposed by the Damascus regime.

Kongra Star interviewed 500 households (families in tents) in the five camps set up in Shehba.

Afrin was occupied by the Turkish state with the help of its jihadist allies in March 2018. In the course of this illegal invasion and occupation, around 300,000 people, half of the total population of Afrin, were displaced. The majority of them, about 157,000 people, currently live in the Shehba region near Afrin, with more than 10,000 living in refugee camps.

The five refugee camps in the region are located in different places. The five camps are Afrin camp, Serdam camp, Shehba camp, Berxwedan camp and Veger camp.

The earthquake on February 6, 2023 in Turkey, Kurdistan and Syria also affected Shehba and Aleppo. Especially in Aleppo, many buildings that were already damaged by the previous war and bombing collapsed. After the earthquake, 2,205 families from Aleppo (who were displaced from Afrin in 2018) took refuge in Shehba and decided to stay in the tent camps in Shehba, where they were welcomed with open arms by the Refugee Council.

Even after the earthquake, the government in Damascus did not lift or ease the strict embargo, obstructing the delivery of fuel, aid and medicine. So, stopping aid deliveries for days at this critical time.

Since the occupation of Afrin, the Shehba region has been subjected to daily light and heavy weapons shelling and aerial bombardment by Turkey. The people who have already been displaced by the occupation continue to be terrorized on a daily basis and have been for more than 5 years now.

The report underlined that "the displaced people from Afrin live in refugee camps in poor living and health conditions which deteriorate over time, especially for women and children.

Both the conditions of camp life and the Syrian regime’s interference affect the poor health situation. With so many people living in one space, the risk of contagious diseases such as hepatitis, corona, cholera, etc. spreading is high and protection against them is almost impossible. Secondly, the lack of medication is one of the biggest problems. For many diseases such as tuberculosis, heart disease, diabetes, etc. no medication can be found in Shehba. In emergencies, people have to go to Aleppo and pay ten times as much for the medicine. With many of the camp residents lacking the financial means to do this."

Kongra Star reiterates that "as long as the embargo and occupation continue, the suffering of the population of Afrin, 300,000 people will continue. The refugees suffer from a lack of job opportunities and resulting poverty. These conditions are worsened by the embargo imposed by the Syrian regime. The international community should recognize the seriousness of the situation of thousands of people: poverty, poor health and lack of adequate sanitation. The embargo and the occupation should be condemned.

On one hand, the thousands of refugees have not received any international attention or support, and on the other hand, support is not allowed due to the embargo. The international community must recognize the seriousness of the situation of thousands of refugees. An end to the embargo, the occupation and financial support are needed immediately. In particular, medication, health centers and better sanitary conditions are needed."

Kongra Star underlined that "despite all these sufferings and the terrible conditions in which people are living, when asked what people in this situation hope for the future, all of them, without exception, said that they hope to return to Afrin soon, that the Turkish occupation will end and that they will be able to live in security, stability and peace. The only solution to the problems they face, is for the Turkish state and its gangs to withdraw from Afrin and end the occupation."