HATAY, Turkey

Over 200 refugee camps along the border with Syria have been disinfected against possible outbreak of diseases, Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation official told Anadolu Agency Saturday.

The foundation disinfected a total of 212 camps hosting Syrians.

Selim Tosun said the foundation had launched the campaign keeping in mind that winter was approaching.

“The civilians living in tents and small camps are frequently subject to epidemics due to unhealthy conditions, unfortunately. 

“Our healthcare team is working and provides camps with health services,” he said.

Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests. Since then, more than 250,000 people have been killed and in excess of 10 million displaced, according to the UN. 

*Reporting by Cem Genco; Writing by Ahmet Sait Akcay