Administration of North and East Syria criticizes UN for not recognizing all displacement camps in North and East Syria

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — Between 2018 and 2019, more than half a million individuals from Cafrin (Afrin), Rish Ayno (Ras al-Ayn), and Tel Abyad sought refuge in regions under the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) following the Turkish invasions of these regions.

The majority found shelter in camps such as Shahba, Washokani, and Rish Ayno (Ras al-Ayn) in the countryside of Hasakah, as well as Tel al-Samn in the countryside of Raqqa.

Sheikhmus Ahmed, an official of Camps and Displaced Persons Affairs of the Democratic Autonomous Administration, stated to North Press Agency that approximately one million displaced individuals are distributed across 17 camps within areas administered by DAARNES.

While the UN recognizes only five camps, including Al-Hol, Roj, Al-Arisha, Al-Mahmoudli, and Nowruz, Ahmed noted that camps hosting displaced people from Cafrin, Rish Ayno, and Tel Abyad are not officially recognized.

Ahmed emphasized that DAARNES collaborates with non-official humanitarian institutions and organizations affiliated with the UN to manage the camps’ affairs.

Furthermore, Ahmed urged the UN Security Council and the Arab League to contribute to the opening of border crossings for humanitarian between DAARNES and Turkey and Iraq, particularly the Yarubiay border crossing.

Across Gozarto (Jazira) Canton, DAARNES oversees six camps in Dayro Zcuro (Deir ez-Zor), Raqqa, Tabqa, and Mabbug (Manbij), alongside five camps in Al-Shahba, in addition to several scattered camps in the region.