UN convoy supports vulnerable, displaced people in Rukban

On February 6th, 2019, over 300 humanitarian workers from the United Nations and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) arrived at Rukban makeshift settlement.

More than 40,000 displaced people live in the remote Rukban ‘makeshift’ settlement in south-eastern Syria, on the border with Jordan. Families are stranded in an extremely dire situation enduring living conditions unimaginable to most.

Six-year-old Nour is running cheerfully to introduce her “school” to UNHCR teams in Rukban makeshift settlement. The dark, dilapidated mud room is a school to the children of Rukban.

“My daughters are living an extremely tough life here with me. Food is scarce and I cannot get diapers or even medicine for my sick daughter.” Says Eida, a displaced woman from Homs who has been living in Rukban for 4 years.

 “Food is scarce and I cannot get diapers or even medicine for my sick daughter.”

The vast majority of the residents in Rukban makeshift settlement are women and children. Women find themselves alone caring for their children with little to no income, under horrendous circumstances.

The joint UN and SARC inter-agency convoy consists of 118 trucks loaded with food, health, nutritional, and education supplies, WASH materials, and winter assistance including blankets, plastic sheets, solar lamps, winter clothing kits, sleeping bags, and sleeping mats.

“I hope that this assistance will continue on a regular basis, it provides some relief that we desperately need.”

“I wish there is a safe way out of this place. But meanwhile, I hope that this assistance will continue on a regular basis, it provides some relief that we desperately need.” Says Eida.