AMONG THE RUBBLE OF WAR, IN SYRIA EVEN ABANDONED ANIMALS EXPERIENCE A SILENT TRAGEDY. STRAYS AND PETS LEFT BEHIND ARE INVISIBLE VICTIMS OF THE CONFLICT. OIPA INTERNATIONAL TELLS A PAINFUL REALITY, BUT ILLUMINATED BY GESTURES OF SOLIDARITY WITHOUT BORDERS
The merciless reflection of war on animals
Syria, once the cradle of civilization and culture, is today a mosaic of ruins and open wounds. There civil warwhich erupted in 2011, decimated not only the cities but also the social and economic fabric of the country. In this scenario of devastation, thousands of abandoned pets they take refuge among the remains of destroyed houses or in the streets of ghost towns.
While humanitarian aid struggles to reach populations, assistance for animals is even more complex. Organizations like OIPA face logistical obstacles, precarious security and the hostility of a collapsing economy. Aid, ranging from food to veterinary medicines, often fails to cross Syria’s borders due to the embargo and political instability.
According to what was reported byInternational Animal Protection Organizationthe war also hit nature reserves and wildlife parks hard, destroying habitats and leaving entire species on the brink of local extinction. In areas such as Aleppo and Damascus, zoos have been hit by bombings that have damaged enclosures and infrastructure.
As a result, many wild animals have escaped and now wander aimlessly in devastated cities. This situation, in addition to representing a potential danger for the civilian population, translates into a tragedy for wildlife, exposed to hunger, disease and further violence.
Beyond the border. A solidarity network unites Iraq and Syria
Despite the immense difficulties, hope has found an opening through the construction of a solidarity network that transcends national borders. OIPA International has been able to activate its channels, collaborating with member leagues in neighboring countries, such as Iraq, to reach aid beyond the borders of the conflict.
Among the most significant interventions stands out the sending of bags of food intended for stray animals in the autonomous region of Rojava, in north-eastern Syria. The Organization, operating in Iraq, coordinated the transport to the border, where a local transporter completed the delivery. The Syrian volunteer who received the supplies generously shared some of the food with an activist from Latakia (a port city located on the northwestern coast of Syria).
The entire operation represented an act of extraordinary courage, a journey that unfolded for hundreds of kilometers between checkpoints, ruins and fragmented territories, under the control of rival factions. The distribution of food guaranteed the survival of numerous animals, preventing them from succumbing to hunger in the absence of sustenance.
The silent crisis of urban areas
Syrian cities represent one of the most complex fronts for animal rights organizations. In Damascus, Aleppo and Homs, groups of strays roam the ruins and compete for few available resources. Local volunteers, often operating in extremely dangerous conditions, try to distribute the little food available to shelters and animal colonies.
One of the most touching episodes told by OIPA concerns a cat shelter located in Damascus, where volunteers witnessed scenes of animals feeding with such voracity that they injured each other from a handful of kibbles. The images received by the organization testify to extreme hunger, a daily struggle for survival that leaves no room for indifference.
OIPA and the strategy for the future of animals
Looking to the future, OIPA International has outlined a strategy that aims not only at the distribution of food and basic necessities but also at the creation of education and awareness programs in local communities.
The objective is twofold: on the one hand, to guarantee a constant presence in the most affected areas, on the other, to train citizens to take charge of animal protection. This approach aims to strengthen the bond between community and urban fauna, reducing the phenomenon of abandonments and promoting sterilization as a fundamental practice for controlling the stray population.
Oipa is also working to establish partnerships with International NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) and local governments in order to implement safer and more adequately resourced shelters. Among the projects under development is the idea of creating mobile veterinary clinics that can operate in rural and urban areas, so as to treat injured or sick animals directly in the field.