Aid campaigns continue across the Kurdistan Region to support Kurds in Rojava.
Aid campaigns across Kurdistan Region continue for Rojava as fighting drives displacement
KURDISTAN REGION — Humanitarian aid campaigns for Rojava continued across the Kurdistan Region, as organizers collected food, winter supplies and cash for Kurdish communities in northeastern Syria displaced by attacks by Syrian government forces and allied Islamist militias.
In Erbil’s Soran administration, officials said a four-day campaign organized by the local administration collected 12 truckloads of food, household supplies and heating materials, along with more than 200 million Iraqi dinars ($133,340) in cash. Halgurd Sheikh Najib, head of the Soran autonomous administration, told 964media, “Even though the weather was cold and difficult, we gathered significant support for Rojava.” He added that the supplies are new and said the campaign would continue. “Our campaign will continue, and on Friday, announcements will be made in mosques to support the effort,” he said.
The offensive in northeastern Syria has driven significant civilian displacement, with tens of thousands sheltering in collective centers or with host families, organizers said.
In the Garmiyan autonomous administration in Sulaymaniyah, organizers said six days of efforts produced a range of humanitarian items, including medical supplies valued at 500 million dinars ($333,350). At a news conference, they said the aid would be handed over to the Kurdish Red Crescent in Sulaymaniyah for delivery to Rojava. Aram Samin, one of the volunteers, said, “Over the past six days, we conducted the campaign with participation from people of all ages, from children to eighty-year-olds.” He said large quantities of food, clothing and cash donations were collected.
In Halabja, local officials said aid collection is ongoing and includes food, clothing, cash and household items. The campaign is scheduled to continue until Thursday, after which the collected aid will be sent to Rojava. Firyad Najmaddin, a campaign coordinator, told 964media, “The campaign is supervised by the Halabja governorate. It’s encouraging to see the strong turnout from citizens, companies, and investors. We’re even seeing children contribute their small daily allowances.”
Rezhwan Diyari told 964media from Halabja, “This is everyone’s responsibility, because this is about our land. Our land is occupied, and we must support these kinds of campaigns for Rojava.”
In Sulaymaniyah, the Shahan Organization launched a campaign focused on collecting baby formula, milk and baby diapers for children in Rojava. The campaign will continue until Feb. 2. Ahang Jawad, head of the organization, told 964media, “There are many aid campaigns for Rojava across Kurdistan, and we appreciate them all. But we felt children have specific needs.” She said the initiative followed reports of four children dying from cold in Rojava, and that the aid would be delivered through the Kurdish Red Crescent. She said participation has been high.
Meanwhile, the Barzani Charity Foundation has deployed an aid team to Rojava and says it remains committed to distributing assistance despite challenges. “Even if it’s difficult, we ensure the assistance reaches the hands of those who need it,” Musa Ahmed, the foundation’s head, told 964media. He said the foundation has delivered 165 aid convoys since beginning operations in Rojava, with support reaching 9,180 families, or 57,955 individuals.