Shining a spotlight on northern Syria, a photographer
captures the essence of life one year after the devastating February 2023
earthquakes ravaged rebel-held northwest Syria. Despite the passage of time,
the disaster remains deeply entrenched in the daily lives of the region's
inhabitants.
Residing in northwest Syria, home to millions, including a
staggering number of pre-quake displaced individuals, the photographer
meticulously document the ongoing changes, or lack thereof, in their war-torn
surroundings. The photograph serve as poignant reminder of the enduring impact
of the earthquakes on the region's landscape and its people.
As humanitarian organizations sound the alarm on dwindling
aid funding for Syria and tens of thousands continue to languish in
displacement, the plight of those grappling with their second winter without
adequate shelter becomes painfully apparent. Despite the staggering loss of
life and infrastructure, the journey to recovery for many remains fraught with
challenges and uncertainties.
Persisting against the backdrop of a nation embroiled in
conflict for over a decade, northwest Syria stands as a testament to resilience
amidst adversity. Despite the ceasefire in place since March 2020, recent
months have witnessed a resurgence in airstrikes by President Bashar al-Assad's
forces and their Russian allies, further compounding the region's woes.
On the solemn occasion of the one-year anniversary of the
earthquakes, photojournalist Moawia Atrash journeyed to Jindires, Idlib
province, where the scars of destruction still mar the landscape. Bearing
witness to the stark reality of displaced families eking out an existence in
makeshift tents amidst the ruins of their former homes, Atrash reflects on the
enduring uncertainty that shrouds their future.
