Looming Humanitarian Crisis: Al-Hol Camp faces uncertain future after US aid suspension

AL-HOL, North and East Syria — Al-Hol Camp, one of the largest camp in North and East Syria, is facing mounting challenges following the US State Department’s decision to halt financial aid for camps in the region. This decision has had a severe impact on camp residents, leading to the withdrawal of several humanitarian organizations and a sharp decline in relief activities within the camp.

SyriacPress spoke with Jihan Hanan, an official in the civil administration of Al-Hol Camp, to discuss the current situation and the consequences of the suspension of US funding. “The suspension of US State Department support has had a very negative impact on Al-Hol Camp, as they were providing essential services,” explained Hanan. “Several organizations and activities have been halted in the camp, though we recently obtained temporary exemptions. However, we do not know what will happen once these exemptions expire.”

Limited Exemptions and Ongoing Challenges

According to Hanan, the exemptions granted to some organizations, such as Blumont, have been limited to essential services like water, bread, and sanitation. However, organizations focused on protection activities have not received any exemptions, putting the most vulnerable groups, women and children, at increased risk.

Hanan emphasized that the future remains “unclear,” but she hopes to “restore funding so the camp administration can continue providing services and enable humanitarian organizations and partners to sustain their work and aid efforts.”

Concerns Over a Humanitarian and Security Collapse

The concerns extend beyond basic services to the camp’s security situation. “The situation will be catastrophic if support is completely cut off, because Al-Hol Camp is a closed camp,” Hanan warned. “Most of its residents are women and children who are not allowed to leave to visit external markets. As a result, they will not be able to compensate for the shortages caused by the aid suspension.”

“The majority of Al-Hol’s residents came from Baghuz and are families of ISIS members,” Hanan explained further. “Therefore, the deterioration of living conditions will inevitably impact security inside the camp.” These remarks highlight growing fears that a lack of assistance could lead to increased tensions, potentially creating fertile ground for the resurgence of extremism and violence.

Urgent Appeal to International Community

Amid these dire conditions, the administration of Al-Hol Camp continues to push for the restoration of international support, arguing that ongoing humanitarian aid is essential in preventing the crisis from worsening. Hanan concluded the interview with an urgent plea to “all humanitarian agencies, governments, and the US-led international coalition,” reminding them that they are “partners in the fight against ISIS and also partners in Al-Hol Camp.” She stressed that these partners must be “aware of the potential disaster that will accompany the suspension of aid.”

Future of Al-Hol: Crisis Beyond Borders

As uncertainty persists, the key question remains: What will happen once the current exemption period ends? Will the international community find sustainable solutions to maintain the camp’s stability, or will the suspension of aid mark the beginning of a new chapter of humanitarian and security crises in the region?

The facts suggest that the absence of international support will not only affect the camp’s residents but will also have far-reaching consequences for the local community and global efforts to prevent new waves of extremism. The camp, home to thousands of women and children affiliated with ISIS, represents a ticking time bomb if not managed properly.

Ignoring the crisis could lead to the collapse of the camp’s administrative structure, creating a power vacuum that extremist groups could exploit to regroup. As internal tensions rise and humanitarian conditions worsen, the radicalization already found inside the camp may worsen, particularly among children born and raised in these harsh conditions.

Moreover, any collapse of Al-Hol Camp could destabilize the entire region. Managing the camp has long been a complex challenge for the local administration and the US-led International Coalition. A loss of control could trigger new waves of displacement and increase security threats inside Syria and beyond.

The future of Al-Hol Camp is not just a concern for its residents, it is a regional and international issue that demands serious attention. Partial or temporary solutions will not be enough. A comprehensive plan is needed to rehabilitate displaced individuals, reintegrate them into their original communities, and provide security and humanitarian guarantees for all.

Until then, the fate of thousands of people in the camp remains in limbo, caught between the decisions of global powers and a humanitarian reality that worsens by the day.