Skin Problems in the Tent: Battling the Unseen Enemy

For our one-year-old daughter, Sella, it’s not the sound of bombs or the fear of war that keeps her awake at night—it’s the relentless itching of her skin.  

Sella wakes up crying, scratching her tiny arms and legs, her skin covered in white and red blotches.

The Invisible Threat: Skin Infections and Their Causes

Living in a tent on sand infested with worms, surrounded by pollution, and lacking access to clean water and hygiene products, skin infections have become inevitable. Hot weather exacerbates the problem, as sweat and accumulated dirt cause rashes and allergies.  Sella is curious and playful, touch everything around them, unknowingly exposing themselves to harmful bacteria and contaminants.  

Without proper hygiene facilities, we cannot bathe her as we once did. The Mediterranean, once a refuge, is now too polluted to be safe. Primitive toilets drain into open channels near the tents, further contributing to the spread of infections and diseases.  

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported staggering numbers since the start of the war:  

- **96,417 cases of scabies and lice**  

- **9,274 cases of chickenpox**  

- **60,130 cases of skin rashes**  

- **10,038 cases of impetigo**  

- **485,000 cases of diarrhea**, resulting from poor hygiene conditions 

A Collapsing Medical System

The despair doesn’t end there. Medical facilities have collapsed under the weight of the crisis. Clinics are nothing more than tents, lacking medicines and essential supplies.  

I’ll never forget watching a doctor divide a single packet of medicine into smaller portions, filling each with a syringe to distribute among the many desperate patients. It’s a painful reminder of how dire the situation is.  

Parents like us live in constant anxiety. Every scratch, every rash, and every sign of infection fills us with dread. The challenge of keeping our child safe in such a contaminated environment means staying by her side every moment, trying to shield her from harm.  

The Emotional Toll

As parents, the inability to protect our daughter from these conditions is heartbreaking. Watching her suffer while knowing we cannot provide even basic relief—no clean water, no hygiene products, no medicines—feels like an endless nightmare.  

What Would You Do?

If you were in our shoes, how would you protect your child from a contaminated environment with no access to clean water, proper toilets, or medical care?  

- Would you stay by their side at all times?  

- How would you find hope when every scratch could lead to infection?  

We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.  

How You Can Help

This crisis is bigger than us, but with your help, we can make a difference. Every small action matters—whether it’s donating, sharing our story, or offering your skills to raise awareness.  

If you’re moved to help, please reach out to us. Together, we can work towards giving children like Sella a safer, healthier future.  

Contact us today to lend your support.