Amman: Families in Syria’s Sweida Governorate are trapped without medical care, clean water, or enough food after fighting closed hospitals, cut off roads, and broke water systems, said Save the Children, calling for immediate safe access for aid.
According to Save the Children, intense fighting has driven more than 93,000 people from their homes in the past 10 days, according to the United Nations. This exodus has emptied whole communities and left bodies lying in the streets, with reports indicating that children are among the unburied.
Reports indicate that hundreds of people have been killed, including women, children, and medical personnel, since fighting broke out on July 11. Repeated ceasefire deals have collapsed within hours, and sporadic shelling, sniper fire, and Israeli airstrikes continue.
Movement remains restricted as people lack fuel and resort to lining up to charge their phones from the few available solar panels. Recently, the medical teams at Sweida hospital issued an SOS, highlighting that supplies are running out, bodies remain unburied, and disease is spreading. The situation has left everyone in fear of what may come next, with no aid or emergency response reaching certain villages.
Bujar Hoxha, Country Director of Save the Children Syria, emphasized that after 14 years of conflict, Syrian children should be pursuing their dreams rather than evading danger. Hoxha urged for the cessation of violence, the safeguarding of aid routes, and support for Syria’s children.
Save the Children is urging all parties to respect the current ceasefire, protect children, and allow emergency teams and aid convoys into Syria’s southernmost province. They stress the importance of opening and maintaining safe humanitarian corridors for medical evacuations and the safe passage of families.
Since 2012, Save the Children has reached over 11 million people, including more than 5 million children, across Syria with essential services. The organization stands ready to escalate its response for Sweida’s children once safe corridors are established.