BEIRUTSTATEofMIND: Syria Diaries: A camp on the border

The Azaz refugee camp located on Syria's northern border with Turkey is home to over 10,000 internally displaced refugees faced with scant work and educational opportunities, living in an environment where disease is rife and medication to cope with maladies is lacking due to a want for international aid. Whilst many men of age in the camp fight with or have previously fought with the Free Syrian army others make the daily journey across the Turkish border to work as day labourers. There is no guarantee of work and been scuffles occasionally break out between Syrian labourers and Turkish border and custom police leading to the temporary closure of the Azaz-Kilis border to those seeking work.

The camp's school consists of a set of tents with multiple classes taking place in each. In total over 800 children receive instruction from just 35 teachers who take no wages. In the camp anything beyond basic medical supplies is lacking, with medical healthcare for pregnant women noticeably lacking. This lack is reflected in the schools where shortages of stationary, text books and other basic items stymies educational development. Stepping in to breach the gap the camp's local Mosque provides children with afternoon instruction in reading and Qur'anic studies. This is a phenomenon noticeable throughout Aleppo province where ongoing conflict has made journeys to school perilous and many of the schools themselves have become the victim's of government shelling.