Kafr Zeta Hospital in Hama Destroyed in Targeted Attack
The Kafr Zeta Specialty Hospital was completely destroyed today in a targeted airstrike. The hospital, located in the suburbs of Hama, was attacked at 10 a.m. Damascus time by four airstrikes directly hitting the facility. One hospital staff was killed and three hospital staff were wounded. Please click here to read the full press release.
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UOSSM PHC and Two Other Hospitals Attacked by Airstrikes in Homs
The UOSSM Al-Zaafaraneh PHC was targeted in Homs along with two major hospitals in the past two days. All three were put out of service leaving thousands without access to medical care.
On Sunday at 10:25 a.m. Damascus time the UOSSM Al-Zaafaraneh PHC was targeted by an airstrike, which struck an area 30 feet away from the hospital. The center was lightly damaged and put out of service. The center provided services to approximately 6000 people a month. Please click here to read the full press release.
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Massive Chemical Weapon Attack Leaves 25+ Dead, 500+ Injured in Ghouta
A massive chemical weapon attack was just reported in Douma, Eastern Ghouta today. Early reports indicate at least 25 people have been killed and over 500 civilians have been injured with the numbers expected to rise. Many of the victims were children.
The attack coincides with numerous attacks on medical facilities in Douma today rendering the largest hospital out of service and a Red Crescent medical facility heavily damaged. The damage inflicted was amplified by the large number of internally displaced people, forced to crowd tightly together in shelters. There are an estimated 170,000 people remaining in Douma served by a small number of doctors and medical staff. Please click here to read the full press release.
UOSSM Assists 5000 Forcefully Displaced from Ghouta
UOSSM responded to the forced displacement of the first two groups of people from Ghouta. On Thursday, 450 families, roughly 2000 people, were displaced from Harasta, Ghouta. The second group of over 3000 people were transported earlier this morning. The people were transported from Harasta to Qalaat Al Madeeq in the suburbs of Hama. UOSSM provided child protection services, primary health care services, and ambulances to transport severe cases to area hospitals. UOSSM was one of several organizations aiding in the process.
Many of those that came, including numerous children, were in poor medical condition (intestinal infections, hepatitis, skin disease, trauma injuries), having received very little medical attention over the past five years. They were, hungry, thirsty, and mentally and physically exhausted from the fierce bombardment they were subject to for over a month, and the siege for over five years. Many have not had clean drinking water or a meal for days. Please click here to read the full press release.
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At Least 500 Killed and 1000’s Wounded Since Resolution 2401 Passed
The passing of Resolution 2401 has not stopped the violence in Ghouta as at least 500 were killed and thousands were wounded since the resolution passed on February 24, 2018. In addition, at least 26 medical facilities have been systematically targeted and put out of service leaving an already vulnerable population with very limited access to healthcare. There was also a suspected chemical attack on March 7, as victims’ clothing smelled like chlorine, and were suffering from wheezing, hypoxia, coughing, and no change in pupils; all consistent with symptoms of a chlorine gas attack.
Today, at least 27 civilians were killed, including one paramedic. In addition, the Arbeen Hospital was attacked and put out of service as the violence continues in eastern Ghouta. Please click here to read the full press release.
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UOSSM PHC and Office Attacked in Ghouta; Doctors Describe Attacks as Mass Hysteria
A UOSSM Primary Health Care Center in Misraba and a UOSSM office in Hammouria, were hit under a wave of attacks on hospitals, buildings and “anything standing” in eastern Ghouta in the past 24 hours. No casualties were reported as all medical centers in the area were shut down due to heavy shelling and airstrikes. The bombardment has caused most of the inhabitants of the areas to be displaced into other parts of the city. An area doctor who chose to remain unnamed said, “Hammouria is under massive attacks causing a state of mass hysteria as every building is being bombed one by one, wiping out the entire area. The area has turned into a ghost town as everyone in the area has been displaced and all medical facilities were attacked.” Please click here to read the full press release.
Reports of a Chemical Attack in Eastern Ghouta Affects at Least 50
Reports from doctors inside Ghouta are indicating there was a chlorine attack in Saqba and Hammouria in eastern Ghouta today around 9 p.m. Damascus time. According to the White Helmets, at least 50 civilians have been affected by the suspected gas, although area doctors are saying at least 100 have been affected. Dr. Imad Qabbani from Rural Damascus Health Directorate confirmed the suspected chlorine attack saying, “Due to the heavy bombardment mobility is impossible. At least two locations were targeted, our Health Directorate will issue a statement later about this attack.”
Affected victims are experiencing symptoms consistent with chlorine gas inhalation including: wheezing, hypoxia, coughing, dyspnea, and conjunctival erythema; there are no changes in the victims' pupils. The victims’ clothing had a strong smell of chlorine. Witnesses confirmed that the smell of chlorine was observed in Kafr Batna. Please click here to read the full press release.
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Reported Chemical Attack Injures 32
There are reports of a chemical attack today in eastern Ghouta injuring 32, among them were 15 children, 13 women, four men and two civil defense workers (White Helmets).
A barrel bomb filled with suspected chlorine gas was dropped on Hammouria in eastern Ghouta at 11p.m. Damascus time. Victims reported symptoms consistent with the choking agent chlorine gas, including coughing, sore throat and redness of eyes, there were no severe respiratory symptoms. No fatalities were reported.
In additon, 94 Civilians were killed today by heavy airstrikes while the first aid convoy entered eastern Ghouta in months. Among those killed was a dentist, Dr. Ahmad Wahbah. Please click here to read the full press release.
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UN Security Council Ceasefire Violated; Two Hospitals Attacked; 20 Killed
Less than 24 hours after the UN Security Council Resolution 2401 passed for a 30 day emergency cessation of hostilities in Syria, two medical facilities were attacked, at least 20 civilians were killed, and over 70 others were wounded.
The two medical facilities in Eastern Ghouta were hit by airstrikes, heavily damaged and put out of service on this morning. There were no casualties. At least 20 civilians were killed in other areas of Ghouta as an aerial bombardment continued to pound civilian areas. At least 541 civilians were killed and thousands were wounded in one week from February 18-25. Please click here to read the full press release.
Third Day Of Bombings Traps Civilians in Rubble; Aid Agencies Desperate
The death toll continues to rise as the relentless indiscriminate campaign continues against eastern Ghouta. There were 70 civilians killed today and over 296 wounded. A total of 13 hospitals and humanitarian facilities were also targeted, leaving thousands in a humanitarian catastrophe.
One nurse was killed in the attacks. A total of 22 hospitals have been put out of service since Sunday. Please click here to read the full press release.
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