Almost 10 thousand refugees in Waşokanî Camp

The number of people living in Waşokanî refugees camp, opened to house civilians who had to leave their homes due to the Turkish state attacks, approached 10 thousand.

More than 350 thousand people fled their homes following the invasion attacks carried out by the Turkish state and its mercenaries in North and East Syria on 9 October 2019.

Civilians who had to flee Serêkaniyê, Girê Spî and Til Temir found shelter in schools in the surrounding cities. The Northern and Eastern Syrian Democratic Autonomous Administration has set up two camps for refugees, one in Raqqa (Girê Spî) and the other in Hesêkê (Waşokanî).

The refugee population in Waşokanî Camp, located 12 km from Hesêkê city center, continues to increase by the day. Stêra Reşik, one of the executives of Waşokanî Camp, spoke to ANF about the latest situation in the camp. Stating that the number of people coming to the camp is increasing rapidly, Reşik added that everyone should do their best to meet the basic needs of refugees.

Stêra Reşik said: "There are 9706 people (1576 families) living in the camp' 1518 tents. Normally there should be 247 families. Some 39 organisations including Public Security, HPC, Heyva Sor a Kurd, Health Committee, Camp Assembly, Kongra Star, Women House (Mala Jine), Youth are operating in the camp. As the number of refugees increases, problems also increase. A solution must be found for this problem. We are protecting our people from Serêkaniye. We continue to bring tents."

Reşik added: "There are problems with water supply to the camp, as the Elok region is under the occupation of the Turkish state. After the water was cut from the water station by the invaders, no water was going to the area. This caused serious problems in the region. The water problems have been fixed now. There are still some problems in the camp, we are trying to solve them."

Stêra Reşik pointed out that the Autonomous Administration is providing for most of the needs of the refugees. 

"We are calling the international aid organizations to meet the needs of refugees in Waşokanî Camp," said Stêra Reşik. 

Reşik underlined that "refugees want to return to their homes. However, the occupiers plundered the houses and businesses of the people and seized them. They kidnap civilians, torture them, seek ransom from their families. The people of the region are afraid of the brutality of the mercenaries."