Turkish relief group launches housing project in Syria

By Burak Karacaoglu and Adham Kako

IDLIB, Syria

A Turkish humanitarian aid agency on Wednesday launched a housing project in war-torn Syria's northwestern Idlib province for widows and families with orphans.

Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.

Turkey's Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) inaugurated three buildings -- with 24 apartments -- as part of the project in cooperation with Pakistan's Khubaib Foundation.

The project -- which started six months ago in Idlib's Kafr Lusin district -- is scheduled to be completed in 2020.

Initiated for Syrian widows and orphan families, the project aims to build 1,536 housing facilities, including a mosque, school and areas for social activities.

Indonesia and South Africa provide financial support for the project.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, IHH's Syria coordinator Erhan Yemelek said that the project was launched to provide a stable life to the families and children, as well as providing education for Syrians living in the complexes.

Istanbul-based charity group IHH has been helping war victims since the beginning of the Syrian civil war.

The organization is providing humanitarian aid, including food aid, medical support, health care, education as well as refugee camps inside Syria and Turkey to civilians affected by the conflict.