They seem to be standing firm against adversity with every ounce of their strength. There is no blackboard, no tent, no pens and no paper for our 1,000 or more school-aged children. So far there has been no reply. Our children are dressed in rags and wear shoes made of rubber, which make their feet bum in summer and freeze in winter. Even if the money was available, buying clothes would be impossible in the KDP zone because of the blockade and it is forbidden on the Iraqi side in Mosul.
Winter brings death.
Without warm clothes and blankets, without sufficient food and medicine, many of us will die. That is why they don't give us any building materials or better tents. They will not be able to maintain water provision by tanker-lorry when the roads are snowed up. It is far colder here in winter than in Atrush. The committee seem disillusioned with public support from Europe and therefore don't expect any fundamental change to result from our visit either.