UNITED NATIONS, March 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Al-Hol camp in north-eastern Syria has swelled to well over 65,000 people displaced by the war, and humanitarian agencies have “grave concern over the fragile health of the camp’s residents,” a UN spokesman said.
Thursday night, more than 3,000 people — mostly women and children in poor condition — reached the camp from Daesh-held areas in Deir ez Zor Governorate, bringing the total population to more than 65,000, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.
“Urgent funding is needed to ramp up the response, especially in the areas of shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, health and protection services,” the spokesman said. “There are grave concerns over the fragile health of the camp’s residents, with nearly 100 people having died, since Dec en route to the site (or) shortly after arrival or referral.”
Dujarric told reporters in a regular briefing that, two-thirds of the deaths were children under the age of five, with the main causes of death being hypothermia, pneumonia, dehydration and complications from malnutrition.
“At least 243 unaccompanied and separated children have been identified in the camp, of whom 41 have been reunited with their families,” he said.
“The UN and aid agencies are scaling up their efforts at the camp, providing round-the-clock emergency health and protection assistance,” Dujarric said. “All of the people arriving at the camp are receiving food, water, shelter, warm clothes or blankets.”– NNN-AGENCIES