When Turkish armed forces moved into northeast Syria in mid-October, more than 200,000 people were displaced within just the first week. Most fled with nothing more than the clothes on their backs, leaving people in need of protection, medical care, food, shelter, and other critical support.
Amidst the chaos and despite many being personally affected by the crisis, Blumont’s team immediately began evaluating and responding to the needs of communities escaping violence. With more than 400 team members on the ground leveraging their passion, skills, humanitarian access, and local relationships, Blumont was able to provide uninterrupted service in a highly volatile environment and serve as a key resource for partners and donors.
Eight weeks since the initial incursion, much of the world’s focus has shifted, but northeast Syria remains unsettled and the future of communities in the region is uncertain.
From Quick Action to Ongoing Support
As the incursion began, Blumont assessed the needs of displaced people who had gathered at 12 collective centers in Hasakeh. Within 72 hours, Blumont teams mobilized to begin bread distribution that fed more than 2,200 people in these centers—reaching nearly 6,000 people within a week.
An estimated 17,000 people displaced by this most recent conflict are still sheltered in collective centers. As of December 4, Blumont is providing services to more than 60 collective centers, helping to meet the needs of more than 7,600 people. Services in the centers include bread and water distribution, building and facility maintenance, waste and garbage disposal. Blumont has also worked with donors and partners to provide winter clothing, and hygiene items to ensure displaced populations can maintain their personal health and keep warm in the cold winter months ahead.
Beyond meeting the physical needs of the children, women, and men who’ve gathered in these centers, Blumont’s team is also tending to their psychological needs, through support sessions, recreational activities, and community engagement to help people through the trauma of violence and displacement.
Managing Camps Through Crisis
When Turkish military action began, many aid organizations stopped operations inside refugee and internally displaced persons camps. Blumont did not stop. As camp managers in four camps and informal settlements in northeast Syria, Blumont teams provided uninterrupted service during the crisis, including daily bread distribution, maintenance, and community activities.
When the conflict forced evacuation of the 5,000 people living at Mabrouka Camp, Blumont organized residents to move to Areesha Camp. The local engagement and management system established as part of daily camp life laid a foundation that allowed for a safe and orderly evacuation.
When newly displaced people arrived at Mahmoudly Camp, Blumont worked in coordination with partners to register and accommodate the influx of families and ensure their basic needs were met.
In addition to coordinating with partners and local authorities to manage camps home to more than 80,000 people, Blumont is also delivering bread to 9 formal and informal camps and more than 150 local communities across northeast Syria. Working with 13 local bakeries and adjusting supply chains to ensure access to flour, the teams are helping to feed 237,000 people each day.
While the humanitarian context continues to shift in northeast Syria, Blumont’s commitment to responding to the needs and rights of displaced people will remain at the heart of our work.
