March 1, 2017
Syria
While carrying out community visits in war-torn East Aleppo, Caritas found six children living on their own in a half destroyed house. Mohammed, 12, Hanna, 10, Ibrahim, 9, Doha, 6, Zakaria, 5, Yamen, 9 months had been rescued by neighbours from their previous home when it had been hit by a bomb.
The father's whereabouts are unknown. After the house was bombed, the mother was arrested. All their other relations are in Turkey. From December to February, for two months, the children had been taking care of themselves. The older ones found copper in the neighbourhood and sold it. They got enough to buy food for one meal a day. “It’s scary at night,” said Hanna. “A man comes in and takes our food. We’re trying to block the door.” Realising the children were in real danger, Caritas Aleppo arranged for them to stay in an orphanage and they contacted the police to inform the mother of the children’s whereabouts.
See video here.
