Over 6500 families were affected by the flooding this past weekend in Northern Syria as tents were swept away, and personal belongings were destroyed by the torrential rainfall. Many families were displaced again in search of a safe, dry place to live. The area was already overcrowded due to a recent influx of people escaping areas under bombardment. Please click here to read the full press release.

On March 13, attacks in the Idlib City region, in Syria killed at least 14 civilians. On March 9, at 7:50 pm, a hospital in Saraqeb, Idlib was directly hit by an airstrike resulting in significant damage to the east wing. The hospital provides an average of 5,800 outpatient consultations, 500 inpatient admissions and 225 child births per month. The hospital was evacuated before the strike and no casualties were reported. A blood bank and the Saraqeb Ambulance System (supported by UOSSM) were also hit by an airstrike causing structural damage. Please click here to read the full press release. 

Over 900,000 Rohingya refugees are living in unhealthy conditions in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh. Due to a lack of available medical care, chronic diseases are ravaging the population. Among them, diabetes. This silent disease, whose severity is frequently underestimated, can cause multiple complications including the diabetic foot in 15% of cases. The onset of diabetic foot is the number one cause of amputation in the world according to a study conducted by the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot. From January 28th to February 2nd, UOSSM doctors went to Cox's Bazar on a humanitarian mission to train doctors on diabetic foot management. Please click here to read the full press release.

It was a deadly weekend for Syrian children when several were killed in targeted attacks on civilians in Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib. At least seven people were killed including four children this weekend. Among the victims was an unborn baby which appeared to be full term. In addition, three young boys were playing outside, fell victim to an attack and were killed. A young girl was also wounded in an artillery attack that killed both of her parents. Please click here to read the full press release.

UOSSM denounces the shelling of civilian areas in Khan Sheikhun and Ma'arat al-Nu'man in Idlib, Syria. The shelling killed 18 civilians (eight children, seven women and three men) in the past 48 hours. In addition, on Saturday February 16th, shelling in Hama struck the residence of Dr. Ahmad Hamwiya (pharmacist) in Al Madiq castle, killing him. Please click here to read the full press release. 

The snowstorm “Norma” is battering Northeastern Lebanon with heavy snow, rain and strong winds affecting nearly 250,000 refugees.  Hundreds of refugee camps and settlements in the area from the Akkar Plain to Bekaa Valley have been devastated by the storm.  The camps house thousands of Syrian refugees in little more than tents and improvised wooden structures. Please click here to read the full press release. 

On December 26, unusually heavy rainfall caused severe flash flooding in Northern Syria along the Turkish Border and in Northern Aleppo. Hundreds of tents were washed away in Atma, Dana, Sarmada and Qah in the northern countryside of Idlib. The area is largely desert and valleys with poor drainage.  The tents are canvas and fixed to the bare ground with dirt roads connecting them. Over 250,000 refugees in these areas have been affected with many shelters, food and water stocks ruined by flooding. Please click here to read the full press release.

At least 55,000 people are at risk in Al Rukban refugee camp. According to community workers, 15 people have died this month alone, among them two babies. On October 8, in less than 24 hours, two babies died in the camp. 4-month-old Huda Raslan died from malnutrition and lack of medical access. Munaf Al Mahmoud, a one year old baby, died due to the lack of adequate medical care.   In addition, there are 150 cases in urgent need of medical care.. Many of the internally displaced persons are women and children. The camp is in a desert with harsh living conditions. Severe malnutrition is widespread. No medical or humanitarian aid has been allowed in the area since January 2018. Please click here to read the full press release.