October 9, 2023 - CARE is deeply concerned about the ongoing escalation in violence and targeted attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and humanitarian workers taking place in northwest Syria since October 5.
Continuous shelling and airstrikes have targeted more than 1,100 locations in Idlib and western Aleppo in northwest Syria, including frontline and residential areas, resulting in dozens of civilian deaths, hundreds of injuries, and at least 20,000 people being displaced. The attacks also resulted in the killing of two humanitarian workers who worked for CARE’s partners in northwest Syria.
“We stand in solidarity with the Humanitarian Relief Association, Syria Relief, and all our partners, whose team members risk their lives every day to provide humanitarian aid to people in need inside northwest Syria,” said Sherine Ibrahim, CARE Türkiye's Country Director. “We strongly condemn the indiscriminate attacks and urge all parties to cease hostilities and abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians, civilian infrastructure, and humanitarian workers.”
This new cycle of indiscriminate attacks, happening at a scale not seen since 2019, will only worsen the already grave humanitarian situation in northwest Syria, where more than four million people – mostly women and children – already rely on humanitarian aid to survive. The humanitarian situation in the region remains precarious following over a decade of conflict, widespread poverty, outbreaks of preventable diseases, and the devastating earthquakes that struck the region in February.
The attacks have affected critical facilities and infrastructure including the main power station in Idleb city, resulting in prolonged electricity outages. As a result, health facilities are now heavily reliant on generators, threatening to deplete existing fuel reserves. Ten schools, at least eight hospitals, five camps hosting internally displaced people (IDPs), the office of three non-governmental organizations (NGOs), public markets, and mosques have also been targeted. In an attack on October 8, the University Hospital in Idleb sustained considerable damage.
CARE and its partners are monitoring the situation and are currently responding to the evolving needs of those newly displaced through the provision of food, water, hygiene items, shelter, and healthcare. Special attention is paid to identifying the needs of groups, including women and girls, facing disproportionate risks during such forced displacements. CARE is concerned that the escalation of violence will delay preparations for the winter, a very difficult time for displaced populations who each year brace for a harsh winter while living in tents.
For media enquiries, please contact Iolanda Jaquemet, Senior Humanitarian Communications Coordinator, CARE International via: [email protected].