By Annisa Essack
02:03:2022

The relief efforts on the third day focused on the widows and orphans in Idlib, who received vouchers to help ease their plight in the ongoing war. It is estimated that more than 600 000 widows and orphans are found in Syria.

Ml. Bilal Vaid, a veteran in the relief team, explains the situation of the “forgotten women and children” who bear the brunt of the war in Syria.

To try to provide a picture of the number of widows, Ml. Vaid compared the population of Lenasia in 2011, which stood at 90 000 then, and multiplied that by seven to show the massive number of widows in war-torn Syrian camps.

According to Ml Vaid, the situation is unique as most widows are young, and most are in the dark about the whereabouts or circumstances that their husbands are in or may have been in if they are dead or alive. Many have between a group of three to five children with them.

The distribution process is thorough, with a stringent vetting process to ensure fair distribution without duplication.

Ml Asad Pandor, another JUSA team member, explained how the vouchers provided to more than a hundred widows by JUSA worked. Each voucher would give a month’s supply of necessities to the widows for their families.

Dr Zubair Chohan, another member who assisted in the visits made to some homes in camps. He described the day as “one of the most depressing and saddest days that he has experienced in a long time.”

He described the dwellings as bare, cold, damp with no windows or a mere sheet as a cover and no doors. There was no furniture except a mattress on the bare, cold floor. None of the camps had running water or electricity. The emotion in his voice was tangible as he said that the refugees “had absolutely nothing and nothing to look forward to.”

Another team member is Mohammed Dadabhai, who observed how the children clung to male figures and attributed this to not having father figures from whom they would otherwise receive fatherly love.

He was further affected by the immense faith and trust in the Almighty. He expressed how the widows made dua when receiving assistance and the patience displayed by the dua “Hasbunallahu Wa Ni’mal Wakeel” constantly made.

Brother Mohammed said it was cold outside and even colder inside due to the nature of the buildings. But the character and heart filled the homes with warmth.

Ml Bobat observed the strong eemaan that the people possessed. Even under challenging circumstances, they are still thankful, trusting in Allah; most definitely a valuable lesson for us, who are most certainly in better circumstances.

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