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WHO tackles gender-based violence and victim support in post-earthquake Syria
14 February 2024, Damascus, Syria – WHO has concluded the Gender-based Violence and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Victim’s Support in Earthquake-Affected Areas project, which it delivered with the Syrian Ministry of Health and the Syrian Commission for Family Affairs and Population. The project was launched in February 2023, following the devastating earthquake, to tackle gender-based violence (GBV) and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) in the affected governorates of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia.
Throughout the project period, WHO collaborated with the Ministry to ensure the safety, rights, dignity and well-being of survivors of GBV and sexual exploitation and abuse. A clear referral pathway was established, ensuring prompt identification and support for over 50 reported cases of GBV and sexual harassment. Assistance was readily available in shelters and community centres, where many incidents were reported as having taken place amid crowded living conditions.
To complement these efforts, a WHO-supported team of experts, volunteers and local organization members ran more than 500 awareness sessions in the community. These aimed to educate residents about GBV and PSEA, available services and how to seek support. This two-pronged approach addressed both the immediate needs of survivors and long-term community understanding.
“Every step we take towards preventing gender-based violence is a stride towards healing, dignity, and a brighter future for all,” emphasized Dr Iman Shankiti, acting WHO Representative in Syria. “By working together, we are not only addressing a crisis, but also laying the foundation for a society that values and ensures the rights and safety of every individual.”
Thanks to the generous support of Kuwait, the project reached 100 locations across the 3 governorates, empowering numerous people with the knowledge and tools to address GBV and PSEA. WHO remains committed to fighting GBV and expanding these critical services across Syria to pave the way for a safer and more just future, where individual rights and dignity are respected and prioritized.
One year on: WHO’s sustained support for Syria’s earthquake recovery efforts
6 February 2024, Damascus, Syria – It is one year today since a devastating series of earthquakes struck Syria and Türkiye, causing more than 1400 deaths and injuring about 2357 people in Syria alone. Hundreds of thousands more were displaced. Today, WHO reflects on its work to help the people of Syria recover from the disaster and to support the reconstruction of affected areas.
Over the past year, WHO has supported nearly 69 000 outpatient consultations and over 9000 trauma consultations in Syria. More than 550 000 people in hard-to-reach areas have received essential health services through 28 mobile medical teams supported by WHO, and over 197 000 children have been vaccinated. WHO has also supported mental health services for over 922 000 traumatized survivors of the disaster.
These efforts have been critical in meeting immediate health needs and also preventing long-term disabilities and health conditions among the affected population.
WHO continues to provide critical medical equipment to support the Syrian health system in the earthquake-affected areas. Donated equipment includes computed tomography (CT) scanners, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, X-ray machines, ultrasonic devices, ambulances, patient beds, ventilators, oxygen generators and patient monitors.
WHO has also provided enough components for 325 prosthetic devices to be made at the Rehabilitation and Artificial Limbs Centre in Damascus. WHO continues to work with communities to engage and inform them about how to reduce their health risks and better protect themselves in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Dr Iman Shankiti, acting WHO Representative in Syria, said: “As we reflect on the past year, the remarkable resilience of Syrian communities and health workers serves to inspire us in our own work. Their strength in the face of adversity drives our commitment to rebuild Syria’s health infrastructure, to ensure a healthier, more resilient future.”
WHO’s commitment to the people of Syria is unwavering. Thanks to the generous contributions of its donors, WHO will continue its work to support health system rehabilitation and enhance the health and well-being of those affected by this traumatic event.
First responder Dr Siham Makhoul reflects on February 2023 earthquake in Syria
Dr Siham Makhoul, Director of the National Hospital of Latakia, Syria. Photo credit: WHO Syria6 February 2024 – I retain vivid memories of the earthquake. At just after 04:00, I was jolted awake by deep rumbling and roaring, and strong shaking. I live with my elderly mother, who is unwell, and my 2 sons; my first thought was to get them to safety. We got out of our building just in time before the quake totally flattened our home.
Once we were outside, my son asked me if I would be going to the hospital. I told him that of course I would go there immediately. There was no safe place for my family, so I took them with me. We all stayed in a room at the hospital for the first 24 hours.
At the hospital, I had to quickly assess the situation. How many staff did we have? How many surgeons were on call? Did we have enough ambulances, operating theatres, anaesthesia medicines? We had dire shortages of medicines and essential equipment like advanced X-rays, anaesthesia machines and [computed tomography] CT scanners.
Before the earthquake, managing the hospital from day to day was like walking a tightrope; I always felt that with the slightest nudge, we would fall. The earthquake wasn’t just a nudge, though; it was a powerful blow that shook us to the core.
In the days following the earthquake, the hospital was chaos. We were inundated with dead bodies, injured patients, and survivors looking for loved ones. One of our first admissions was a baby who had not survived. It was heartbreaking, but we knew we couldn’t let our emotions get the better of us.
One of my most painful memories is having to treat one of our own doctors, who had been admitted with very severe injuries. I could see that he was dead, but his colleagues tried to resuscitate him nonetheless. I told them that he had not survived and asked them to focus on the living. It was an agonizing moment.
I also remember the incredible solidarity. So many of our staff turned up spontaneously to help the emergency response. The local community brought food and drink. The Ministry of Health helped us tremendously. International organizations donated medicines and supplies. The hospital staff were remarkable. Our surgeons operated round the clock to save lives. Many nurses stayed in the hospital for days on end, treating wounds, caring for patients and supporting their families.
We got through those very difficult days, and we saved many lives. There is no doubt, though, that the trauma of this experience remains with us. To this day, you can see the panic in the eyes of our staff and patients whenever they hear unexpected noises.
Abd Nour’s triumph over leishmaniasis
25 January 2024 – Abd Nour, a 52-year-old father from Aleppo, has been displaced 3 times with his family owing to the ongoing conflict in Syria. Once a shopkeeper, Abd became a day labourer to support his family after they were forced to flee their home. “For us, it has been very difficult,” he said. “It was hard to make plans not knowing how I would be able to support my family. As a father, I worried a lot.”
In summer 2023, Abd contracted leishmaniasis, which turned his world upside down.
Leishmaniasis remains a major health problem in Syria. Each year, the country typically records 70 000 to 80 000 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis, the most common form. It is caused by a protozoan parasite that is transmitted to people through the bites of infected sandflies.
The neglected tropical disease has various clinical symptoms and, left untreated, can cause severe lesions, including ulcers. Infection can lead to serious disability and stigma, but timely treatment can prevent such complications. For Abd, the disease caused severe pain that left him unable to walk.
“I was terrified of the thought of passing this illness on to my pregnant wife and young son,” Abd explained.
WHO has been actively supporting the leishmaniasis programme in Syria since 2015, helping families and communities across the country. In 2023, in partnership with national authorities, WHO carried out leishmaniasis control activities in the most affected governorates: Aleppo, Hama and Idlib. This effort involved the indoor residual spraying of more than 73 000 houses, to protect over 369 000 people from the risk of infection. The programme also provides treatment, as well as training for Ministry of Health staff to enhance local capacity for effective case management.
WHO’s support for comprehensive, evidence-based treatment of leishmaniasis is a lifeline for patients. Dr Hassan Al-Zaher, Director of Al-Zahera Polyclinic in Damascus, where Abd was treated, reported that the clinic provided free treatment to 450 leishmaniasis patients in 2023 alone. This was possible thanks to WHO and Ministry of Health efforts.
Dr Iman Shankiti, Acting WHO Representative in Syria, further stressed the importance of comprehensive disease management to tackle leishmaniasis: “Beyond treatment of leishmaniasis, our efforts in Syria include educational campaigns and preventive measures to reduce the burden of this neglected tropical disease.”
Today, Abd Nour has resumed his daily work: “After looking back at my journey, I am thankful for every day. This experience taught me the importance of health and access to quality health care.”
