Mahmoud Abu Almajd – Horrya Press:
After the revolutionaries’ and humanitarian organizations’ departure to the Syrian north, the suffering of the families in northern Homs has renewed as winter approached. The rising prices and the termination of heating projects, which used to limit the suffering of the families in the area, are only two factors of suffering among many others.
“Om Mazen”, a martyr’s wife and a mother of seven children, is currently living in the Regime’s- controlled areas in northern Homs, told Horrya Press: “When the revolutionaries used to control this area, most families were served Diesel and firewood for free by humanitarian organizations, through projects that aimed at helping the people in need to survive the bitterly cold winter”.
She added that: “After Al-Assad’s regime took control over the northern countryside of Homs, the humanitarian projects provided by the organizations have got terminated. Even though the Regime has promised the families to improve their living situation, those promises have turned out to be lies, add to that the Diesel’s price has reached 200 Syrian Pound, and bear in mind that a family needs at least 500 liters, which equals paying 5oo thousand Syrian Pound, that’s a lot of money, and most people do not have it”.
As for “Anwar Abu Taha”, one of the inhabitants of the northern rural, said that “Nowadays, the head of household has to pay substantial expenses including electricity and water bills, which were not paid under the revolutionaries-control over the area, add to it that many young people are not interested in working outside this area anymore, as they fear the ill-treatment they face at the regime’s checkpoints, and to avoid getting arrested”.
Abu Taha pointed out that “Searching for heating materials in alleys and street has become noticeable, as cutting trees in the woods is no longer possible, due to the regime’s presence in those areas, which prevents anyone from preaching them”.
Moving to “Mowaffaq”, one of the diesel dealers in northern Homs asserted that “The demand for diesel has decreased compared to the previous years when humanitarian organizations were working on heating projects for the beneficiaries. In addition, car owners started buying Diesel from gas stations”. “Mowaffaq” clarified that “Most families did not operate heaters this year because they cannot afford Diesel or the firewood, as its prices have risen to 50 thousands Syrian Pound per ton”.
It’s worth mentioning that Assad’s forces with the alliance of Russia has taken control over the northern countryside of Homs and the southern countryside of Hama, after signing an agreement with the Russian party that provides for displacing those who refuse the settlement and their family to the Syrian north.
Translate by: Zainab Samara
Sorry Comments are closed