In the Al-Yaman Camp, Idlib, Bayan al-Jassem and her family prepare maqali, a simple fried vegetable dish, for iftar during Ramadan. Displaced by the Syrian war, they live in poverty, earning just enough to sometimes afford the luxury of frying vegetables. The war and displacement have impoverished 90 percent of Syrians, with 12.9 million facing food shortages. Bayan recalls better times before the war and strives to provide for her family despite the challenges, including a reduction in humanitarian aid. The family finds joy in their togetherness and the simple meal they share.

In the aftermath of the 2023 earthquakes in northwestern Syria and southern Turkey, the demand for pet adoption has surged, with Ernesto’s Paradise For Animals Under War sheltering over 1,300 rescued animals. Muhammad Wattar's shelter in Idlib has seen a threefold increase in people wanting to adopt cats. Residents, including Muhammad Halabi and Muhammad al-Omar, have come to appreciate animals' natural disaster warning abilities, with many becoming pet owners on the belief that animals can sense impending earthquakes. The earthquakes resulted in over 4,500 deaths, building destruction, and displacement, with ongoing aftershocks maintaining a climate of fear.

On December 18, 2023, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's military bombed Idlib and nearby towns, killing seven civilians and injuring 20. The Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, responded to the casualties, which included children and a pregnant woman. The attacks caused terror, displacement, and damage to infrastructure. Despite a ceasefire truce since March 2020, regime forces and allies have continued violations, resulting in significant casualties and worsening the humanitarian crisis. The UN has expressed concern over the renewed bombing campaigns and the displacement of 120,000 people.

The Arab world has expressed outrage over the killing of Al Jazeera Gaza Bureau Chief Wael Dahdouh's family in an Israeli air raid in southern Gaza. Dahdouh lost his wife, daughter, grandson, and a son among the over 7,000 casualties in Gaza since the hostilities began. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and highlighted the risks journalists face in conflict zones, with at least 24 journalists killed in the latest round of hostilities. The attack has been perceived as an attempt to silence Palestinian voices reporting on the occupation and war, and has drawn parallels to the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by Israeli forces. The tragedy has resonated across the region, with many expressing solidarity and criticizing the international community's inaction towards the plight of Palestinians.

Syrian aid organizations, including Al-Ameen for Humanitarian Support and the Molham Volunteer Team, are providing humanitarian relief in Gaza amid an intense Israeli military campaign. Despite challenges such as a blockade preventing aid entry and the destruction of supplies, these groups are coordinating with local authorities to distribute food and resources. The situation has resulted in numerous casualties, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health reporting over 4,651 deaths, many of whom are minors, women, and the elderly. Aid workers face daily risks, and some have been killed or injured. These organizations, which emerged during Syria's civil war, are now redirecting resources from Syria to Gaza, relying on private donations to fund their efforts.

The author, an internally displaced photojournalist in northwestern Syria, shares the personal story of their father, Mustafa Haj Suleiman, who disappeared in 2013 while working as a driver in Damascus. Despite various unconfirmed reports and the family's efforts to find him, his whereabouts remain unknown. The article highlights the broader issue of the 130,000 forcibly disappeared people in Syria, the torture of detainees, and the lack of effective international intervention. The UN's establishment of an institution for the disappeared and missing in Syria is mentioned, but skepticism is expressed regarding its potential impact.

Anti-government protests have erupted across several provinces in Syria, demanding the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. The demonstrations, which began in Sweida due to economic frustrations, have spread to Deraa, Aleppo, Idlib, Deir Az Zor, Raqqa, and Hassakeh. Protesters, including the Druze minority, have received support from the United States and Germany. Despite the Syrian government's previous violent repression, analysts from the Abaad Studies & Research Center and the Syrian Center for Community Development do not anticipate a repeat of 2011's severe security measures. However, the Syrian pound's devaluation and spiraling prices of essential goods pose significant challenges, with the government showing resistance to political reform and skepticism surrounding its economic reform promises.

Following the devastating earthquakes in Syria, many survivors, including two-year-old Nour Abdelqader, are suffering from crush syndrome, a condition caused by prolonged compression of limbs leading to severe complications such as limb amputations and kidney failure. Despite the efforts of healthcare professionals like orthopaedic surgeon Abdelsalam al-Naasan and general surgeon Zuhair al-Qarrat, the lack of medical resources in northwest Syria is hindering the treatment and recovery of patients. The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM) is funding facilities like Akrabat Hospital, but the aid received post-earthquake is insufficient, covering only a fraction of the needs. Victims like Nour and 65-year-old Barakat Maajoum, who is expected to recover fully, require not only physical therapy but also mental health support to overcome the trauma.

The al-Sayed family, consisting of Mustafa, his wife Duaa, and their three children, Maryam, Zuheir, and Ilaf, were rescued from the rubble of their apartment in northwest Syria following the February 6 earthquakes. They spent 40 hours trapped after the building collapsed, with Mustafa staying conscious to listen for rescuers. The family survived, but Mustafa's brother, mother, and two sisters did not. The quakes affected 8.8 million people in Syria, with over 5,800 fatalities. The al-Sayeds are now homeless, with psychological trauma, especially Maryam, who gets physically sick at the sight of the rubble.

In Jandaris, Aleppo province, northwest Syria, residents are recovering from the aftermath of devastating earthquakes on top of the existing damage from the civil war. Internally displaced persons, including Louai Fares al-Khalaf, are facing compounded tragedies, having lost family members and homes. The region, already suffering from air attacks and poverty, now contends with the additional challenges posed by the natural disaster, with many forced to live in tents or in the open in cold weather.

In Jandaris, northwestern Syria, volunteers have been working in a cemetery to bury hundreds of victims of the recent earthquakes that struck the region on February 6. The cemetery, previously seldom used, now features mass graves where volunteers, including 21-year-old Jihad Ahmed al-Ibrahimi, inter the dead. Al-Ibrahimi, who is displaced and lives in a camp in Aazaz, travels 40km daily to assist with the burials, motivated by a sense of kinship with the deceased. The volunteers, who are not seeking payment, document the names of the deceased and erect markers for the graves, performing funeral prayers as part of their service.

Following a devastating earthquake in northwest Syria, local rescuers and volunteers are expressing frustration over the lack of international humanitarian aid. Despite the global response in Turkey, northwest Syria has not received any humanitarian convoys, leaving hundreds trapped under debris with insufficient resources for rescue efforts. The World Health Organization is deploying teams and medical supplies to both countries, but the slow international response in Syria is critical for those still trapped. Syrian journalists have staged a sit-in at the Bab al-Hawa crossing, and the head of media relations for the crossing, Mazen Alloush, has highlighted the millions affected and refuted claims of inaccessible roads. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs cites logistical issues, while the Syria Civil Defence reports no international assistance received.

In Idlib, Syria, amidst the backdrop of poverty and conflict, a youth football tournament final captivated the local audience as 'The Dreams' triumphed over 'The Stars' with a score of 2-1. The event, organized by the Violet Organization, aimed to bring joy to child workers who are forced to work in hazardous conditions due to the extreme poverty in the region, as reported by the United Nations. The charity, known for renovating schools and public spaces, brought together these children from various parts of Idlib to participate in the tournament, offering a momentary escape from their daily hardships.

The article reports on the recent fatalities in the Idlib region of Syria, where over 65 civilians have been killed. The deaths are attributed to actions taken by government forces and Russian military operations. The events have taken place within the current month, highlighting the ongoing conflict and its toll on civilian lives in Syria.

Two children, including a seven-day-old baby, died in displacement camps in Syria's Idlib province due to severe cold weather. The region is facing a humanitarian crisis with over 4 million displaced Syrians, many living in extreme poverty and relying on food assistance. The deaths were deemed avoidable by Save the Children, and the United Nations reported severe underfunding for the crisis. Hospitals are overcrowded with children suffering from conditions exacerbated by the weather and poor living conditions.