As we approach spring, it is important to reflect on the past season. The occurrence of winter is neither surprising nor abnormal. In fact, it is pretty much one of the only things that is guaranteed, one of the only constants that we can predict in our world of everchanging phenomena – that the seasons will change.

 If the political climate of war and destruction was not enough, Syrian refugees were faced with the brutal conditions of the cold as they tried to find safety during the harsh winter. Whether it is in Syria itself, or in Lebanese or Turkish refugee camps, many of these refugees are thrown into a battle against the below-freezing temperatures. The result for many is unfortunately death. 

RIGHT TO ADEQUATE STANDARD OF LIVING

The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights recognises the right to adequate housing as a fundamental right that all human beings have. in virtue of the minimum level of dignity and standard of life they should be entitled to. But for many Syrian refugees, attaining this minimum level of dignity and standard of living they should be entitled to has been impossible, even when applying the most basic level of expectations of the presence of ‘four walls and a roof’. While ‘lucky’ ones are able to put together make-shift homes with plastic walls and metal roof, for more than 50,000 refugees this seems like a distant dream as they seek shelter for themselves and their families in the open under trees and abandoned buildings.  

ARSAL: ONE OF MANY

The informal settlements in Arsal, eastern Lebanon, are just one of the places in which the cold has been indiscriminately contributing to the violations of dignity and basic rights to those fleeing atrocities in Syria. According to the Welfare Association for Research and Development (WARD), an association working on ground in Lebanon, the shelters currently host over 250,000 refugees, all of which are being subjected to increasingly callous conditions. The Arsal camps are not only more remote than most camps within Lebanon, but they are also more insecure with refugees in them being subjected to unannounced military and police raids, evictions, as well as restrictions on movement. This insecurity is aggravated by the decision of the Higher Defence Council to dismantle shelters built in materials other than timber and plastic sheeting, putting extra pressure on the already precarious life of the Syrians. The security challenges in the area, which is labelled as a red zone, induced many NGOS to rather focus on other, more accessible, regions, making Arsal a “forgotten limbo.”

In a desperate attempt to combat these challenges and provide warmth to themselves and their families, many burn anything they can get access to, putting themselves at risk of being asphyxiated or seeing their shelter burn down. One of the residents told a member of the Association about how he dreams of being able to provide warmth to himself and to his children, about how he dreams of having a house with four walls and a roof in order to protect his children.

ABDUL-WAHAB: A SYMBOL OF OUR FAILURE

One devastating example of the result of the cold on the refugees is that of Abdula Wahab. The terrors unleashed on Idlib over the last year triggered the largest displacement crisis of the 21st century, forcing millions out of their homes. One of those seeking refuge in makeshift tents was the family of 7 month- old Abdul-Wahab. Despite escaping the bombs, he was unable to escape death. One morning after having escaped Syria, Abdul Wahab’s mother woke up to the sight of her son. He was still. No wriggling. No movement. No crying. Abdul-Wahab, an innocent baby that became a symbol that the international community had failed to uphold the dignity and rights of the Syrian people who are stalked by death wherever they go. But how many symbols will it take? How many more Abdul-Wahab’s need to be lost before the international community makes a real effort to protect those who are fleeing to find safety?

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

Given that wars are an unfortunate reality of the world we live in, it is essential that governments make a real effort to mitigate the inevitable consequences on those most vulnerable, on both a national and international scale. This involves ensuring that refugees are at the very least granted the basic level of dignity which they are entitled to by virtue of their human rights. It is important, therefore, that when decisions taken by those such as the Lebanese Higher Defence Council to dismantle certain refugee camps, refugees are provided with an alternative to keep themselves and their families safe, warm and off the streets. This would reduce the likelihood of them resorting to dangerous methods of lodging in their state of desperation which would put their lives at risk. Policies also need to require governments to reduce spontaneous police raids on refugee areas, as well as providing refugees with a form of accommodation which is compatible with the minimum standards of living outlined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights.

Although there has been an undeniable effort on behalf of the international community to support refugees over the last nine years of the Syrian crisis, the reality is that more must be done to protect those who are pushed into an vicious cycle of increasing vulnerability due to a lack of aid, housing and limited access to healthcare services. When coupled with the ever-increasing gap between actual needs and resources, it is imperative that more financing and support is given to host countries to allow them to expand the opportunities given to refugees. It is only through this commitment that the refugees can be given the fighting chance for survival that they deserve, and that the tragedy of Abdul-Wahab and what all that he symbolises can be avoided.

Sarah is a second year undergraduate student studying BSc Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University College London. She has a keen interest in human rights - with a particular interest in Middle Eastern Affairs due to her Syrian origins.

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