This post is also available in:
العربية
Amid deteriorating economic conditions and widespread poverty, a worrying phenomenon has emerged in Deir Ezzor: the increasing number of child beggars and street vendors, according to what a DeirEzzor24 reporter Network has observed.
Our reporter said that children who have become prolific beggars are active in vital areas such as the Fouad Cinema Market, sparking discontent among residents due to the disturbing behavior and its negative impact on traffic and public life.
The phenomenon is not limited to the city’s markets; it extends to public streets near universities, institutes, and government offices, where child beggars and vendors congregate and move between neighborhoods unsupervised.
A resident told DeirEzzor24, “You might see the same faces at Hamoud al-Abed roundabout, then meet them later near the university or the Fouad Cinema market,” indicating their widespread movement in search of additional resources. It’s difficult to accurately determine their numbers due to the nature of their frequent movements between locations.
These beggars are no longer limited to requests for assistance; they have also become hostile, according to residents’ testimonies. In this context, a young woman, “Raneem,” said, “The beggars knock on doors early in the morning, and sometimes deliberately vandalize them if their request is not met.” Another young man complained that “these children obstruct pedestrian traffic, to the point that some families avoid going out to avoid their harassment.”
Others described their suffering at the hands of child beggars, including physical harassment, sometimes beatings, and even physical harm when their requests are not met. Some residents say, “These children are organized, not orphans.”
The suffering doesn’t stop at the daily harassment, but extends to obstructing work. Photographers in parks have complained. The public is concerned about the interference of child beggars in their work and their insistence on customers, which weakens the quality of services provided.
According to some residents, the causes of this phenomenon are due to intertwined factors, the most important of which are the economic crises that push families to send their children to work or beg. Some parents may have lost control over their children and have become the ones directing them toward this path due to poverty. Omar, a young man, told Deir Ezzor 24 Network, “The main reason for the spread of this phenomenon is poverty and the declining economic situation in the country.” Questions are also being raised, and praised by some residents, about the role of educational neglect in exacerbating hostile behavior among this group. In a sarcastic tone, one young woman noted that “this activity has become a source of income that exceeds self-employment,” indicating that it has become a profitable phenomenon for those involved.
Amid escalating societal discontent, residents are demanding urgent action from local authorities and relief organizations to contain the phenomenon, by providing financial and psychological support programs for poor families, rehabilitating children, and ending their exploitation. What was once a source of compassion has turned into a problem that threatens the stability of public life in the city, calling for radical solutions before it escalates further
