Following the ISIS attack against Shengal on August 3, 2014, many Yazidis settled in the Serdesht Camp. The Yazidi people have been living in tents in the camp for over four years, and are affected by the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter. They are entering the winter months in the tents again this year, and are calling for support.

Wedîha Xelef Mîrza, who has been living in the Serdesht Camp since August 3, 2014, spoke about the harsh conditions they live in. Mirza said they moved 3 times in the Serdesht Camp where they settled after the Shengal massacre: “Life in the tents is very difficult. We can’t even walk when it rains.”

Wedîha Xelef Mîrza said rain water leaks into the tents in winter: “There was a lot of rain last year. Our tents were caught in the rain. The cold in the Shengal Mountain is harsh. We can’t make a living because of the difficult conditions. Our tents haven’t been renewed since we came to the camp. They are very old, and tear up when there is a harsh wind. First rain fell yesterday, and our tents filled up with water. Our children were affected, and our furniture was wet. We can’t lift the tents and reorganize, because if we did they would rip.”

Wedîha Xelef Mîrza called for support and said: “We live under harsh conditions in Shengal, support us. I am calling on all who call themselves human rights defenders. We the Yazidi people have been living in tents for 4 years. We haven’t received any help. This is our fifth winter in the tents. They should come and see how we live.”