Jassar* invites us for coffee

As Cholera makes its way through Syrian governorates and internal displacement camps, the number of infections has risen since the first Cholera case was reported in Aleppo. Now, 37,700 cases are suspected of carrying the bacteria in Northwest Syria.

For that reason, World Vision is implementing a water provision project through its partner. Through this project, we were able to meet with Jassar and learn about the living situation in a Syrian displacement camp, especially during the Cholera outbreak.     

Jassar, 63, is an internally displaced father, trying to secure a decent life, after the war stole everything he owned. He didn’t always live in a displacement camp, but a series of events put him in a cornered to take this decision and join seven million other people. 

So, what happened with Jassar that forced him to leave his home and settle in a displacement camp?  

Jassar wanted us to tell his story from the begging. He was once married and had 11 children. At that time, he owned a carpentry and heavy machinery shop and lived a comfortable life. He even invested in buying lands to pass them to his children in the future. However, that picture-perfect life will be erased. In 2015 a bomb fell on their home, killing the mother of his children.

Jassar never felt this alone after losing his life partner, after all, his children got married and settled with their own families. Was he left alone to deal with life’s unpredictability?  

The answer is - no. Jassar later got married and established a relatively stable life. This time, he was blessed with another eight children - four girls and four boys. But heartache refused to leave Jassar. His oldest son was badly injured due to indiscriminate attacks that targeted people mercilessly. The father barely recovered from his son’s injury, only to be faced with the death of his other son in the same attack.  

Let’s Leave our Home, Children  

This house became a dagger in Jassar’s heart and he just wanted to leave. But where did the family go?  

Jassar couldn’t bear another second in that house, it was his wife’s and child’s grave.  Moreover, bombardments never left their side and stuck by them like glue threatening his other children. So, they headed to the Northwest without any previous planning, they just knew they had to leave.

That kick-started the family’s displacement journey- but how did it go, Jassar? 

It was difficult to secure food and water but his faith in people kept him going. Jassar believed in people and he was proven right. When he reached the village, a man offered his support. He provided them with a home to live in and furniture. It wasn’t perfect and old but he was relieved to know he was not alone.

Thanks to the man’s support, the family have a house now. This shows people’s true colours during crises. Now, how will Jassar provide for the family?  

Jassar went looking for a job. Thankfully, he was able to secure one as a timber cutter through which he was able to put food on his family’s table.  

 Trust in the Humanitarian Community 

This led him to the next predicament, water.  When asked how he could secure water in the camp, he simply shares the following,  

It’s difficult to provide water knowing the rise in inflation Syrian currency rate. 1 tank of water [2,000 Liters] in the Northwest costs 100 Turkish Lira making it inaccessible for most Syrians. This amplified his struggle since he barely covers the daily expenses. Needless to say, the spread of Cholera in Syria made trusted water sources a struggle. Jassar heard about the outbreak through social media and how it infected Syrian camps. But Jassar knew his family and million others won't be abandoned during this crisis and support will reach them. He was correct, the local community is trying their best to maintain a clean environment and he appreciates their efforts.  

So, when he heard about a water provision programme everything fell into place. Jassar’s trust in the community resulted in water running through the houses’ networks. The father is delighted to see his children have access to water.

Jassar and 62,500 others in 6 villages are able to receive water through six water stations.