State of the World from NPR The Refugees Trapped in a Corner of Syria, Now Free
Dec 23, 2024
Jaina R, an NPR reporter, shares her firsthand experience at the Rukban refugee camp in Syria, home to 7,000 people trapped for over nine years. She discusses the daily struggles for essentials and healthcare faced by the residents. The resilience of activists like Moaz Mustafa shines through as they provide aid and hope. The narrative shifts to a vibrant kindergarten, symbolizing renewed hope for children. As families return to Homs post-conflict, the emotional connection to their homeland reveals the human spirit's triumph over hardship.
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Rukban Refugee Camp
- 7,000 Syrian refugees lived in Rukban, a remote desert camp, for nine years.
- Fleeing ISIS and the Syrian regime, they hoped for refuge in Jordan but were trapped.
First Journalist in Rukban
- Moaz Mustafa, director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, is the first journalist to visit Rukban.
- The U.S. military base nearby wouldn't allow journalists until now.
Life in Rukban
- Abu Mohammed Khadr, a resident, runs a pharmacy stocked with U.S. supplies.
- Residents built their own homes from clay bricks due to lack of aid.