GENEVA, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency UNHCR said Friday it is increasingly worried for the safety of civilians trapped in "ISIL-held" areas of Hajin enclave in Deir ez-Zor governorate in northeast Syria.
UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic said at UN media briefing here, "UNHCR and other humanitarian partners are racing to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable civilians who have arrived at the Al Hol camp in Hassakeh."
He noted, "We are also concerned for the situation for civilians who have managed to escape the armed conflict."
More than 10,000 people have fled from the conflict zone to Al Hol camp just in the past week, said UNHCR.
Since fighting escalated in Hajin in early December, more than 23,000 people have fled to Al Hol, effectively tripling its population. Many more are expected.
Those fleeing speak of fierce fighting and a heavy toll on civilians with casualties widespread. Food and medical supplies are hard to come by. Civilian infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. "Families who managed to escape the fighting say that ISIL is preventing other civilians from leaving the area," said Mahecic.
Families fleeing the Hajin enclave and surrounding areas have also told the agency about a harrowing journey to safety, said UNHCR.
They travel at night with barely any belongings, often having to wade through minefields and open fighting.
