Attacks Continue on Medical Facilities in Idlib

At least seven medical facilities were targeted in August, leaving tens of thousands with limited access to medical care. Since April 28, at least 902 civilians have been killed, at least half of the victims were women children. Over 1921 have been wounded. 30 humanitarian workers have been killed and several others were wounded in the past three months.

It is estimated that well over 750,000 have been displaced. UOSSM doctors are concerned that diseases might spread rapidly in crowded IDP camps, which lack the necessary sanitation and medical care. If you would like to support UOSSM's work on the ground please visit www.uossm.us/donate.

UOSSM Participates in World Humanitarian Day

On August 19, UOSSM participated in World Humanitarian Day, standing in solidarity with humanitarian workers that gave their lives in service of others, those who risk their lives every day, and those detained or wounded in Syria. Over 150 humanitarian workers from 20 Syrian humanitarian organizations working in North West Syria participated in the event, including 18 staff from UOSSM.

Bab Al-Hawa Hospital Provides Services to Over 55,500 in Three Months

The Bab Al-Hawa Medical Center continues to provide medical services in the hospital, clinics, and cardiac center. During the second quarter, the hospital provided services to over 55,690 beneficiaries and provided over 330 surgeries. Since the bombardment began in North West Syria on April 28, the number of patients visiting the hospital of newly displaced, has grown significantly, putting a strain on the staff and the hospital. The hospital continues to provide medical care to those who need it most.

UOSSM-Canada and UOSSM USA Host Livestream Series on Facebook: #HealthcareoftheFuture2019

In such a scenario, health workers and medical facilities, are constantly under threat from conflicting groups. Historically, conflict prone zones see suboptimal levels of healthcare services, increased diseases among children, and frail maternal health – among other unaddressed healthcare issues. The medical concerns are atypical and require a specific discussion. UOSSM invited medical professionals, healthcare workers, humanitarians, policymakers, political scientists, global health advocates, students and all those interested in learning about the problems and solutions of healthcare provision in conflict zones to attend this online livestream. The audience was allowed to ask questions and interact with the speakers in real-time.

Impact Story- Jenna's Story

Jenna was in a lot of pain, she was crying so much that her father took her to the doctor. She was examined and referred to Bab Al-Hawa Hospital. A mass was found in her left kidney. Jenna had emergency surgery and her doctors are expecting her to make a full recovery, so she can go back to her everyday life. We wish her a speedy recovery.

Since 2012, UOSSM has been providing emergency medical relief and healthcare services to the Syrian people affected by the crisis, working primarily inside Syria and with Syrian refugees in Turkey.

UOSSM:

• In 2018, UOSSM supported 14 primary health care centers and 13 mobile clinics
• UOSSM Bab Al Hawa Hospital provided health care services to almost 1 million patients since establishment
• In 2018, over 162,000 beneficiaries were provided with nutrition services focused on  women and children
• UOSSM Mental Health and Psychosocial Support provided care to 110,096  beneficiaries in 2018

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Bombardment Continues in Idlib

The bombardment on north west Syria has continued to wreak havoc on innocent civilians. Since April 28, they have been subject to a massive bombing campaign. At least 765 civilians have been killed, at least half of the victims were women children. Over 1718 have been wounded with over 65% of them women and children. 41 medical facilities were bombed leaving hundreds of thousands with limited access to medical care that they desperately need as tens are wounded every single day. 29 humanitarian workers have been killed and several others were wounded in the past three months.

It is estimated that well over 500,000 have been displaced. In response, UOSSM is on the ground increasing mobile clinics activities in new areas of displacement, providing medical care to those who need it most. If you would like to support UOSSM's work on the ground please click here or visit www.uossm.us/donate.

UOSSM’s ‘Syria Solar’ Initiative Launches Second Solar Power System in North West Syria

UOSSM launched its second solar power system on July 4, with representatives from UOSSM, SAMS, and the Idlib Health Directorate. UOSSM’s team worked on installation of the system for several months. The system will help strengthen the health sector in Northern Syria. The system is projected to save 60,000 liters of diesel a year and will enable uninterrupted vital medical services to be provided around the clock.

UOSSM Opens New Office in Yemen

In July 2019, UOSSM opened its new office in Aden, Yemen. After several visits by UOSSM to affected areas in Yemen UOSSM held several meetings with representatives of Ministry of Health in Yemen, humanitarian actors, government agencies, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) to begin a humanitarian response based on priorities for medical needs. These visits focused on the most important objectives of the mission, starting with defining the organization and the programs it operates in areas of intervention. These definitions and objectives were introduced in other countries. In addition, these visits focused on defining the intervention plan in Yemen based on the needs required that evaluations will show.

Impact Story- Mohamed's Story

Mohamed was only eight years old when he was severely wounded in an attack on a marketplace in Idlib. Not only did he lose an arm and a leg in the attack, but his father was also killed.

All the little boy wanted to do, as any young child, was to be able to go back to playing ball outside with his friends. Mohamed was taken to Turkey where he would get care in UOSSM's Physiotherapy Center in Gaziantep. He was fitted with a prosthetic leg, and learned how to walk again. He was so excited because he could go back to being a kid an playing. He is in good health and happy spirits. The resilience of the children of Idlib is truly overwhelming. Please click here here to watch the video!

Since 2012, UOSSM has been providing emergency medical relief and healthcare services to the Syrian people affected by the crisis, working primarily inside Syria and with Syrian refugees in Turkey.

UOSSM:

• In 2018, UOSSM supported 14 primary health care centers and 13 mobile clinics
• UOSSM Bab Al Hawa Hospital provided health care services to almost 1 million patients since establishment
• In 2018, over 162,000 beneficiaries were provided with nutrition services focused on  women and children
• UOSSM Mental Health and Psychosocial Support provided care to 110,096  beneficiaries in 2018

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Violent Bombardment Continues in Idlib

The violent attacks on Idlib have continued since April 28, leaving at least 400 civilians dead and wounding at least 1000, many of the victims are children. In June, at least three paramedics and one doctor were killed in targeted attacks, and at least five medical staff were wounded. Since April 28, 32 medical facilities have been bombed leaving a large, vulnerable population with little or no access to medical care.

Many of the 400,000 displaced are living under olive trees in open fields with no protection from the elements. There are an estimated 3.5 million people living in Idlib whose lives are at risk if the attacks are not stopped.

Dr. Anas Al Kassem Testifies at Subcommittee on International Human Rights on the Humanitarian Situation in Idlib

On June 13, 2019, Dr. Anas Al Kassem, a board member of UOSSM, testified at the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Dr. Al Kassem spoke of the dire humanitarian situation in Idlib.

UOSSM Participates in Meeting to Define Humanitarian Health Response Strategy in Areas of Conflict

On June 10-11, UOSSM, represented by Dr. Ahmad Dbais, participated in the conference: "Rethinking the Humanitarian Health Response to Violent Conflict". UOSSM was invited by the Chairman of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The conference took place in the Chatham House in London. The meeting aimed at defining how to make important, pragmatic contributions to the development of more effective humanitarian health responses in areas of violent conflict.

Impact Story- Mustafa's Story

Another child affected by the brutal war in #Syria😞... “I love to play in the neighborhood just like other kids but they get scared of me, so I don’t like going outside anymore.” Mustafa Alassaad is a displaced child from the #Idlib countryside, currently, he lives with his family in Afreen. “I was playing next to my home while my mom was cooking, I heard the airplane flying overhead, I ran inside the house because I was so scared that it would drop a bomb, and the whole pot of hot frying oil fell on me."

Mustafa sustained third-degree burns and complains from itchy and sensitive skin throughout his body. He went to the #UOSSM Afreen Primary Health Care Center where Dr Khalil examined Mustafa and made sure the burns were healing correctly and prescribed medicines to help him with his symptoms. Another child affected by the brutal war. We pray for Mustafa's full recovery.

Since 2012, UOSSM has been providing emergency medical relief and healthcare services to the Syrian people affected by the crisis, working primarily inside Syria and with Syrian refugees in Turkey.

UOSSM:

• In 2018, UOSSM supported 14 primary health care centers and 13 mobile clinics
• UOSSM Bab Al Hawa Hospital provided health care services to almost 1 million patients since establishment
• In 2018, over 162,000 beneficiaries were provided with nutrition services focused on  women and children
• UOSSM Mental Health and Psychosocial Support provided care to 110,096  beneficiaries in 2018

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Continued Bombardment Wreaks Havoc in Idlib

Since April 21, Idlib has come under bombardment wreaking havoc on the area, 25 medical facilities have been bombed and 55 medical facilities have shut down due to the continuous bombings for over a month.

UOSSM staff on the ground in conjunction with local health directorates, report 347 civilians have been killed (including at least 75 children), over 1,000 have been injured and 400,000 were displaced by bombardment on civilian areas. Many of the displaced are living under olive trees in open fields with no protection from the elements. There are an estimated 3.5 million people living in Idlib whose lives are at risk if the attacks are not stopped.

UOSSM Responds to New Areas of Displacement in Idlib

UOSSM responded to the latest large displacement due to the recent bombardment in Idlib, by operating 5 more mobile clinics. The mobile clinics began operating on May 18, 2019 in Jisr Alshagour, Saraqeb, Maarat Masreen, Aldana, and Quorqania. The mobile clinics provided medical services to 894 people in the first three days of operation; 502 doctor visits, 392 nutrition and community health services. In addition, mental health mobile clinics, part of Sarmada Hospital, visited the Meeznaz Camp in Maarat Al Akhwan providing emergency mental health services and psychosocial support. The UOSSM Dayr Hasan Community Health team provided advice to the newly displaced families in areas near the center.

UOSSM Holds Annual Benefit Dinner in Canada

On May 19th, UOSSM-Canada hosted the “Sharing Untold Stories: Iftar Benefit Dinner” sharing untold stories and needs from Syria, Jordan, Bangladesh and Yemen. The crises, needs and response to those needs were shared in the event.

UOSSM Signs Agreement Supporting Early Childhood Activities in Northern Syria

UOSSM signed an agreement in May for a project to support early childhood activities. The project will last for five months in northern Syria.

Impact Story- Mohamed's Story

"All I know is that the roof (concrete) fell on top of us and me and my sister started screaming for someone to help and get us out." This was the account of young Mohamed after he and his sister were victims of an airsrike; the concrete roof collapsed over them. They were lucky to have survived. Once rescued, they were rushed to the nearest medical facility. He had several wounds on his head and young body along with a broken arm, his sister sustained several injuries as well.

They were forcibly displaced after their home was destroyed by the bombing, like hundreds of thousands of others from the area. It is the same scenario repeated over and over again as the world continues to turn a blind eye to the atrocities against humanity. Mohamed is being cared for in #UOSSM's Quorqania Center where he is hoped to make a full recovery. It shouldn't have happened in the first place😞😞

Since 2012, UOSSM has been providing emergency medical relief and healthcare services to the Syrian people affected by the crisis, working primarily inside Syria and with Syrian refugees in Turkey.

UOSSM:

• In 2018, UOSSM supported 14 primary health care centers and 13 mobile clinics
• UOSSM Bab Al Hawa Hospital provided health care services to almost 1 million patients since establishment
• In 2018, over 162,000 beneficiaries were provided with nutrition services focused on  women and children
• UOSSM Mental Health and Psychosocial Support provided care to 110,096  beneficiaries in 2018

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UOSSM USA Launches Fundraiser in Response to the Catastrophic Situation in Idlib

Since April 21, Idlib has come under bombardment causing a catastrophic situation. At least 160 have been killed and over 600 were wounded, a large number of the casualties are women and children. Reports from the ground are showing there are at least 350,000 displaced from 61 communities. And 19 medical facilities were targeted leaving a large population with little access to medical care.

In response to the situation UOSSM will be operating five more mobile clinics. A UOSSM doctor from the ground sent out a distress call saying, "This catastrophe and disaster is larger than the catastrophe of Aleppo and Ghouta and Homs and all other Syrian areas...20% of them are without shelter, living under the olive trees."

UOSSM USA launched a fundraising campaign to support the people of Idlib. Please click here to support the campaign.

UOSSM Signs Agreement with Ministry of Planning in Yemen

On April 1, 2019 UOSSM signed an agreement with Ministry of Planning in the capital city. This agreement will allow UOSSM to open an office in Adan and begin providing medical, nutrition, and protection services, along with capacity building.

UOSSM Contributes in Fitting Patients with Orthopedic Devices in Turkey

The team at Conscience International visited the UOSSM Physical Therapy Center in Gaziantep to provide and fit patients with orthopedic devices. The devices, under the supervision of physical therapists, will help patients suffering from diseases such as bone marrow disease and cerebral palsy to overcome their disabilities and be more independent in their everyday lives.

UOSSM Medical Facilities Resume Providing Care to Patients in Northern Syria

UOSSM Medical Facilities resumed providing medical services in Northern Syria after a temporary suspension of work due to changes in the field.

Impact Story- Souad's Story

Eight-month-old Souad was so small; much smaller than the average child her age. But Souad is growing up in a not so average environment, as she was born into the worst humanitarian crisis of our time. The baby girl was born in a very poor village in northern Syria, with little or no access to medical care. UOSSM's Community Health Workers found little Souad and recognized that she did not look healthy. Souad was taken to the UOSSM PHC and the nutrition technician screened little Souad for malnutrition. As suspected, the baby girl was suffering from severe acute malnutrition. She only weighed 13 pounds. She didn't even have the energy to crawl or learn.

Souad was placed under a treatment plan. The UOSSM nutrition team educated Souad's mother on the importance of treating malnutrition and she agreed to bring her baby once a week to the center during the entire treatment plan. In just one month Souad gained three pounds. The beautiful baby began to gain strength and even started crawling! After five months of treatment Souad reached a healthy weight of 18 pounds, and is no longer considered malnourished. Souad will continue to strive and grow as she fought and beat the malnutrition that was making her weak.

Since 2012, UOSSM has been providing emergency medical relief and healthcare services to the Syrian people affected by the crisis, working primarily inside Syria and with Syrian refugees in Turkey.

UOSSM:

• In 2018, UOSSM supported 14 primary health care centers and 13 mobile clinics
• UOSSM Bab Al Hawa Hospital provided health care services to almost 1 million patients since establishment
• In 2018, over 162,000 beneficiaries were provided with nutrition services focused on  women and children
• UOSSM Mental Health and Psychosocial Support provided care to 110,096  beneficiaries in 2018

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