Northeast Syria has recently witnessed a military escalation in Raqqa, Deir ez Zor, and Hassakeh governorates, where Médecins Sans Frontières operates, exposing civilians to renewed insecurity, forcing them to flee their homes in Tabqa, Raqqa, Hassakeh and other parts of Syria towards Qamishli and Derik/Al Malikiyah.  



The displacement took place during harsh time of winter, with temperatures dropping below 0°C. Our teams witnessed convoys of overcrowded cars travelling along route between Hassakeh and Qamishli, under relentless rains, forcing them to pull over on roadside.  



The makeshift shelters in Qamishli and Derik/ Al Malikiyah, primarily schools and mosques, suffer from poor infrastructure, and are ill-equipped to accommodate displaced people.  “I am from Afrin. This is the fourth time I have been displaced,” said 55-year-old Najah Mouhammad Khalil. “I have spent 7 years under tents in the Shahba area in northern Aleppo. I came here to Derik with 20 of my family, and one of my brothers is disabled and in need of special care. We are always moving with the clothes we wear. We urgently need heaters and baby formulas here”. 



In response to the increasing needs, MSF teams started the distribution of mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits, food and kitchen kits in three makeshift shelters in Derik and Qamishlias well as running a mobile .clinic. . In the meantime, Deir ez Zor National Hospital where MSF teams are present has seen influx of more than one hundred injured patients, most suffering from gunshot and blast wounds. We provided donations of a trauma kit and medical supplies to Deir ez Zor and Raqqa national hospitals, where our staff are working alongside Directorate of Health.