Fires engulf displacement camps in northern Syria during heat wave
Northern Syria is experiencing a heat wave, which is taking a heavy toll on camps for displaced persons who face chronic diseases, wildfires and water scarcity.
The number of fires in camps for the displaced in northwestern Syria has risen to 126 since the beginning of the year after three new fires broke out on Aug. 24 due to high temperatures inside the tents and a reliance on indoor cooking stoves.
More than 590 displaced camps suffer from a lack of water. Also problematic is the decrease in water allocations in other camps due to a lack of official support and a high rate of daily consumption, according to the Syria Response Coordination Group, a nongovernmental organization operating in northwest Syria.
In a statement posted July 19 on its Facebook page, the group warned of the increase in fire incidents in the camps in northern Syria, which have become recurrent because of a heat wave, the widespread and incorrect use of nonrefined fuels, and the lack of awareness among children on how to use these products, causing fires to break out and resulting in civilian casualties.
The group added that one of the most prominent factors that increases the risk of tents catching fire is the reliance on cooking stoves inside, a habit developed by 90% of the displaced families. Also, the use of canvas tents is a cause of fires, especially since nearly 96% of camps lack the necessary insulation to prevent the outbreak of blazes.
