The lives of more than 200 thousand people were put at risk due to the attacks carried out by the Turkish state and its gangs on Shehba and Tall Reefat on 29 November. Following the evacuation decision taken by the Afrin-Shehba Canton Assembly in order to ensure public safety, 121 thousand people were settled in areas under the control of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria.

Speaking to ANF, Şêxmûs Ehmed, co-chair of the Department of Migration Affairs of the Democratic Autonomous Administration, said: “The United Nations and other organizations should provide support to the region. However, this support should not be limited to financial aid. A political stance should be taken against the occupying Turkish state and its gangs, and the occupiers responsible for this oppression should be tried.”

Two main centers established in Tabqa and Raqqa

Underlining that the people of Afrin were subjected to forced migration two or more times, Şêxmûs Ehmed said: "In order to understand the reasons for the massacres and to prevent larger massacres, the people were evacuated to safe areas affiliated with the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria. All institutions and organizations of the Autonomous Administration declared mobilization. In addition, a crisis desk was established to help the refugees. The institutions and the people living in the region mobilized and took action."

Ehmed said that two main centers were established in Tabqa and Raqqa to welcome the refugees, and added: "The first days were very difficult. Great efforts were made to welcome the refugees well. Although the desired level has not been fully achieved, in recent days some order has been established. Tabqa and Raqqa, which were determined as the first centers, then allowed our people from Afrin to be transferred to the Euphrates and Cizre Cantons. In this way, we were able to overcome the difficulties experienced, at least to some extent."

Şêxmûs Ehmed also touched on the needs of the refugees, saying that "one of the most difficult issues is to settle our migrant people. In general, we have set up tents, placed them in schools, used stadiums and mosques, but this is not a situation that will continue indefinitely. It is essential to create permanent living conditions. It is also extremely important for women and children to receive good health care. Our priority should be to create adequate settlement areas and provide health care."

121 thousand people had to migrate

Ehmed said that "an effective organization is necessary to welcome the refugees well. The people are scattered in almost every city, village, school, etc. in Northern and Eastern Syria. Therefore, it is essential for the committees related to these migrations to be prepared. These committees should reach each person, or it should be ensured that the refugees can reach these committees. An effective organizational structure should be established within this framework. However, this organization should not be left only to the Autonomous Administration institutions and organizations, communes; our people should also do their best.

Not even one person should be left out in the cold. The necessary support should be provided to meet the needs of each refugee and to create new living spaces. Of course, these issues can take a long time and are not situations that can be resolved in a short time. We are not talking about serving one or two people, but hundreds of thousands of people. I believe that we will overcome this difficult situation with good organization."

25 thousand families, for a total of 121 thousand people, have reached the Democratic Autonomous Administration Region, said Ehmed, adding that "a large number are currently gathered in Tabqa. Then comes Raqqa, Cizre Canton and Kobanê. Most of our people opened their homes to the refugees; they hosted them for days and provided them with material and moral support. We would like to thank all our people for the support provided by the people of the region in an environment of crisis and chaos."

Arabs and Turkmen among those forced to migrate

The vast majority of the people displaced are Kurdish, but there are also Arabs and Turkmens, said Ehmed, adding that "the number of our people who have reached the region is quite high, and this situation exceeds the financial strength of the Democratic Autonomous Administration. Heyva Sor a Kurdistan has provided great support. In this context, it is essential that relevant international institutions and organizations also provide support to the region. We are in urgent need of health supplies and our hospitals do not have the capacity to handle such a high number of refugees. The United Nations and other organizations should provide support to the region. However, this support should not be limited to financial aid. A political stance should be taken against the occupying Turkish state and its gangs, and the occupiers responsible for this oppression should be tried."