Since early December more than 30,000 people have arrived at al-Hol camp, fleeing violence in Hajin and Baghouz, eastern Deir Ez Zor, almost 300km away. Even with the subsiding conflict, people continue to arrive at Al-Hol with almost 15,000 people arriving in the past week alone, 90 per cent of them children and women.
With the continued influx of IDPs, the total population of al-Hol camp has reached almost 50,000 – stretching the existing capacity of 35,000 to its limit. Reception areas are now extremely congested as the camp is being expanded to host the new arrivals
UNICEF, the UN and partners have massively scaled up services and assistance in Al-Hol camp. But critical gaps remain in shelter, water and sanitation and health sectors.
Since the start of the influx UNICEF has scaled up its response through partners. 24/7 mobile medical teams supported by UNICEF are deployed in the reception area and the camp to provide nutrition services, basic medical consultations, vaccinations and referrals to nearby hospitals when needed.
Mobile protection teams supported by UNICEF are deployed in the reception areas to identify and support unaccompanied and/or separated children.
A UNICEF-supported Interim Care Centre has also been established as a safe space for children while family tracing is underway. In addition to five UNICEF-supported child friendly spaces are operational within the camp to improve children’s wellbeing with access to recreational activities and psychosocial support.
UNICEF continues to deliver safe water to Al-Hol camp, reaching an average 17,000 people daily. More than around 450 latrines have been (and in process of being) installed and rehabilitated but sanitation needs remain critical.
To date more than 10,500 thermal blankets and 15,000 winter clothes sets for children under 15-years-old were also distributed~UNiCEF
