Amnesty urges US to aid Syria’s Rukban refugee camp

Rukban Camp: A Call for Urgent Humanitarian Aid

Located on the border of Syria with Jordan and Iraq, the Rukban refugee camp is home to at least 8,000 displaced Syrians in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Amnesty International has urgently appealed to the US to provide essential supplies such as food, clean water, and healthcare to the residents of the camp.

The situation in Rukban has worsened due to a tightened siege by the Syrian government, blocking vital supply routes. The last UN humanitarian convoy was allowed in September 2019, leading to a critical shortage of necessities. While the US has control over the nearby Tanf military base, the residents of Rukban are suffering in an “arid wasteland” without access to life-saving resources.

Amidst reports of children dying from malnutrition and lack of medical facilities, Amnesty International calls for immediate action to lift the siege, provide aid, and ensure the safety of the camp’s residents. Sustainable solutions, such as re-opening the border with Jordan or safe passage to other areas in Syria, are also needed to address the humanitarian crisis at Rukban.