Ramadan has come this year to Syria amid conditions that are deemed the cruelest since 2011. As soon as the sounds of the bombs and shells gradually disappeared, they were superseded by the agony of the unbearable living conditions caused by the Western blockade imposed on the country. The cruel blockade led to exorbitant prices that affected the ability to purchase basic materials and consumer essentials. Hence, buying basic materials became a dream for most people who cannot afford the very basic necessities in order to prepare traditional Ramadan dishes and meals, though they were desperately awaiting the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan.

Things didn’t stop here, but the difficult living conditions were further exacerbated by the earthquake that struck Syria on the sixth of February, leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced. In this regard, just last week, the Syrian government announced that it had registered additional 72,000 families affected by the earthquake in the Latakia governorate, including 200 families distributed in 24 shelters within the governorate.

Furthermore, the number of affected families who took refuge in shelter centers in the afflicted Aleppo governorate reached 10,968 families, amounting to 48,431 individuals.

I never imagined that I would have my Iftar meal in a tent

Inside a shelter in the city of Jableh in the countryside of Latakia, and shortly before the Maghrib (evening) prayer, Heba Haidar is immersed in prepping an Iftar meal that she had been able to scrap up using a food basket provided to her by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

Using a tiny stove in the corner of the tent, the displaced woman cooks a small amount of vegetables and rice, while her little children, who live with her inside the tent, are awaiting the muezzin (call for prayer) to sound off so they can break their fast.

Heba, otherwise known as Umm Mustafa, describes to Al Mayadeen English her family's situation in the aftermath of the earthquake:

"Overnight, I turned into a displaced woman living in tents. The building next to our house collapsed and the walls cracked, which forced me, my husband, and my two children to flee in a rush without returning."

The 30-year-old woman had never imagined that she would spend the holy month of Ramadan inside a tent, waiting for humanitarian aid to prepare the Iftar meal, away from her family and relatives, who are also dispersed following the horrific earthquake.

Umm Mustafa explains to Al Mayadeen English:

"I am originally from Aleppo, and my family lives there. My parents and brothers live in the same building, which completely collapsed. Now they are all living in a school that the government turned into a shelter. I do not want to move there so as not to add to their worries and burdens.”

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Heba cannot hold back her tears as she recalls how her husband used to shop for them every week and bring her delicious desserts from the market and bring the children Ramadan lanterns and traditional folk clothes.

"Despite everything, I thank God that we did not lose any member of our family. Everything can and will be compensated for. Even these sad days will perish and will become mere memories. I believe in a better tomorrow.”

I am surrounded by memories everywhere

"Usually, this month has no equal. But this Ramadan has been the harshest and saddest yet." With this phrase, Khadija Al-Kurdi summarizes her feelings during the holy month after the fatal earthquake.

Umm Muhammad wipes her tears and recalls her tragedy to Al Mayadeen English:

"I lost my husband and three children in a blink of an eye. After the long hours I spent under the rubble in the southern Raml neighborhood, I survived.”

The forty-year-old woman recalls how she used to enthusiastically prepare the Iftar meal for her husband and children.

"My daughters, Nagham and Reem, used to help me prepare fattoush (Salad), while my son, Muhammad would persistently ask if it was time to break our fast.” Umm Muhammad pauses for a few seconds, then, with tears streaming down her face she says with a hush voice: “I have lost the privilege of hearing the word mama forever.”

Khadija is not hanging any decorative lanterns this Ramadan. “The joy of Ramadan is embedded basically in the family's gathering for Iftar...But after the loss of my family, there is no longer any space for joy.”

This is the first Ramadan that Khadija spends with her husband's family in their house, as she moved to reside after her house was completely destroyed due to the earthquake. However, she explains that she had not been able to adapt in her new residence or “get comfortable yet,” because “memories surround her everywhere.”

Khadija describes to Al Mayadeen English how it’s like to break her fast without her family.

"During the Iftar meals, I’m overtaken with grief, not only because I miss them, but because I’m always swamped with sad memories. Last year on Teacher’s Day, my kids collected all they had in their piggy-banks and bought me an electric juicer. I had promised them that I would use the electric juicer during the holy month of Ramadan to make them their favorite drinks. I did not get the opportunity to fulfill my promise.”

The Syrian government’s intensive efforts during Ramadan to secure the needs of the affected

Ammar Al-Assad, a member of the Syrian People’s Assembly, confirms to Al-Mayadeen English that the earthquake undoubtedly exacerbated the unbearable living conditions, especially with the advent of the month of Ramadan.

"Ramadan came this year to Syria under extremely difficult conditions. Whereby, there are at least half a million displaced people who are spending Ramadan this year separated from their families, or alone after having lost their family during the earthquake. Moreover, there are also tens of thousands of wounded, and hundred of thousands of citizens who have lost their savings and assets.”

Al-Assad believes that the government has done everything possible through the provision of supplies, clothes, financial aid and treatment. In addition, many Arab countries delivered humanitarian support to Syria. Nevertheless, Al-Assad confirms that the state will exert additional efforts this month.

"The government is distributing supplies more frequently because the aid enables people to secure what they need for basic meals, i.e. Suhur (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar meals at least. The government also supervises the provision of permanent medical care and follows-up with displaced people residing in shelters.