The United Nations has confirmed that limited access has been restored to Syria’s Al Hol camp after days of disruption caused by security concerns. Briefing reporters in New York, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, was able to enter the camp on Friday alongside Syrian government officials, re-establish contact with some residents and resume the delivery of essential supplies.
Al Hol, one of the largest displacement camps in the region, is home to tens of thousands of people, most of them women and children, including individuals with alleged family links to ISIL fighters. UN agencies have repeatedly warned that residents face severe humanitarian challenges due to overcrowding, limited access to healthcare, water and sanitation, as well as persistent protection and security risks.
Following a three-day interruption linked to the volatile security situation inside the camp, trucks carrying bread were able to enter with UNHCR facilitation, while water deliveries resumed earlier, partially restoring basic services. Humanitarian agencies have long called for durable solutions for Al Hol’s population, including safe returns, reintegration and repatriation in line with international law.
UN agencies and humanitarian partners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Syrian authorities in providing assistance at the camp, while stressing that ensuring security remains critical. They also underlined the importance of maintaining safe and reliable movement of personnel and supplies between Al-Hasakeh and Qamishli to sustain aid operations.
Beyond Al Hol, concerns are growing in Kobani in Aleppo Governorate, where all access roads are reportedly closed. Disruptions to electricity, water and internet services are limiting access to basic needs, and aid partners are beginning to report shortages of food, essential items and medicines, even as health facilities continue to function.
