Over a million refugees in northern Syria need homes after war

JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Over a million internal displaced persons in northern Syria need homes after being adversely affected by the civil war in the country since 11 years ago.

The ATAA Foundation’s public relations coordinator, Mohammad Abdullatif Mohammad Salahaldin said that so far, the internal refugees had to stay at the temporary camps in that region.

“So far, the foundation has been able to build 3.500 homes in Idlib, A'zaz, Al-Bab and Jarabulus, as a result of contributions from the public and non-governmental organisations in several countries.

"Hence, more contributions from the public, including those in Malaysia are most welcomed to together help rebuild the lives of these Syrian refugees.

“We are now constructing about 4,500 homes in Jarabalus, Idlib and Al-Bab to help more of the refugees rebuild their lives and the homes are expected to be ready by February, next year.”

He said this to reporters after the launching of the Econsave Humanitarian Fund for Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan in collaboration with Yayasan ATAA at the Taman Teratai Econsave hypermarket, here, today.

Also present were Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE) trustee, Dr Mohd Zin Kandar and Econsave Cash and Carry Hypermarkets general manager, Mas Imran Adam.

The ATAA Foundation based in Turkiye, is among the non-governmental organisations which are active in carrying out humanitarian missions in Syria.

 MyCARE and Econsave Cash and Carry would open an endowment fund counter from next month at its selected hypermarkets for the public to donate to the building of homes for the Syrian refugees.

Mohd Zin said each housing unit of 50 square metres in size with two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room and toilet, cost US$3,000 (RM14,000) to build, accommodating up to a family of five.

"The public can donate as low as RM50 or more. This is part of our effort in helping those unfortunate Syrians," he said.

Meanwhile, Mas Imran said the fund had been going on since its pre-launch last July and had managed to collect about RM300,000.

MyCARE and Econsave Hypermarkets with the assistance of  ATAA Foundation are building a school in A'zaz, northern Syria, to provide the refugees’ children with early education.

Turkiye which has a border of 911 kilometres with Syria, is currently administering the security zone of 30 kilometres long in northern Syria, with the help of the freedom fighters.

-- BERNAMA