Haifa never imagined her life could change so drastically in an instant. She lived with her husband and three children in her in-laws’ home in the city of Saraqib, enjoying relative safety—until a warplane bombed their family home. Several relatives lost their lives, her son was injured, and the family was forced into sudden displacement. After weeks of searching for safety, they settled in the town of Rajo in Afrin’s countryside.

Tough Living Conditions
Haifa’s family ended up sharing a single room, barely large enough for them all, as their finances deteriorated. Most of their possessions were destroyed by fires in Saraqib following the bombing, leaving them with only what they had taken along when fleeing. Haifa felt embarrassed every time a neighbor visited—they had no proper bedding or pillows to offer guests, heightening her sense of helplessness.
Her greatest worry, however, was keeping her three children warm during freezing winter nights. Each evening, she gathered every available blanket and scrap of cloth to bundle them up, positioning them close to one another to preserve whatever warmth they could.
Emergency Aid Distribution Project
In the midst of these hardships, an emergency aid basket distribution project offered Haifa a glimmer of hope. Organized by a humanitarian relief organization, the teams carefully identified beneficiaries—focusing on those with no similar support, female-headed households, and families with members who have special needs or chronic illnesses.
Haifa was among those selected to receive a comprehensive emergency kit. Filled with gratitude, she shared:
“I used to borrow so many things from neighbors, and now I’ve received an aid basket right when I need it most. Each item is vital to us, and I can finally return what I borrowed. The blankets and covers mean the world to me—my children won’t have to shiver anymore.”

Contents of the Basket and Its Impact
The organization distributed more than 1,124 emergency baskets across 20 villages in Bulbul and Maabatli subdistricts. Each basket contained essential hygiene items and cooking utensils, along with floor mats, foam mattresses, and pillows, in addition to blankets, plastic sheeting, a solar lamp, and a pack of diapers under the NFI (Non-Food Items) category.
For Haifa, the benefits went beyond merely fulfilling basic needs; the aid restored a sense of stability and security in her family’s daily life, greatly reducing her children’s suffering from the biting cold. Whether in a tent or a one-room shelter, having even the simplest necessities can mean the difference between enduring long, harsh nights—and passing them in warmth and hope.