As the Mavi Marmara Humanitarian Aid Association, we continue our humanitarian assistance and solidarity efforts for Palestinian refugees living in the Yarmouk Camp in Damascus, the capital of Syria. In this region, which has endured the heavy burden of war, siege, and poverty for years, we remain by the side of those in need through food distributions, zakat programs, and social support activities for children.

The food package distributions and hot meal services we carry out before and after Ramadan provide vital support for families in Yarmouk who are struggling to survive under extremely difficult conditions. In addition, through children’s festivals and toy distributions organized for orphaned children, we aim to bring a moment of joy to the faces of children growing up in the shadow of war and to instill hope in their hearts.

We emphasize that our efforts in Yarmouk are not temporary, and we aim to sustain and expand our solidarity in line with our capacities. We view this area not merely as a point of aid delivery, but as a humanitarian issue that has been neglected for many years.

Yarmouk Camp: A History Tested by Hunger

Established in 1957, Yarmouk Camp served for many years not only as a shelter for Palestinian refugees living in Syria but also as a center for education, culture, and social life. Before the Syrian civil war, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians lived in Yarmouk, which was known as one of the most vibrant areas of Damascus.

However, with the outbreak of the civil war in 2011, Yarmouk experienced one of the most severe sieges and periods of famine in history. During months when access to food and humanitarian aid was blocked, people were forced to survive on grass, wild plants, and animal feed. At the height of the famine, fatwas permitting the consumption of cat and dog meat were issued, making Yarmouk the scene of one of modern history’s most striking humanitarian tragedies.

After the end of the conflicts in 2018, the camp remained largely destroyed. Today, only a limited number of Palestinian families are trying to return, while infrastructure deficiencies, poverty, and lack of access to basic services persist.

For us, Yarmouk is not just the name of a tragedy from the past; it is a living space that still requires support and restoration. With this awareness, we continue our humanitarian and solidarity efforts to stand by the Palestinian refugees living in Yarmouk.