According to the UOSSM (the Union of Syrian Medical Relief Organizations), an MdM partner in Syria, at least 1,506 people have died from the August 21 attacks, with numbers still escalating. Doctors of the World is now handing out specific treatments to its Syrian partners. «We’re facing a growing demand for atropine, in case of new chemical weapons attacks», explains Doctor Rafik Bedoui, medical coordinator for Doctors of the World programme in Syria.
Syria’s terrible sanitary situation for the past two years has also caused urgent medical needs.
Before October 2012, MDM worked with Syrian refugees in bordering countries. Since then, the NGO has reinforced its activities inside the country to offer direct primary healthcare to the Syrian people. Today, nine MdM primary healthcare structures are up and running inside Syria with 50 professionals providing care.
As access to civilians worsens, MdM has developed its network of partners working directly in most conflict zones. Working hand in hand with seven Syrian associations, MdM’s financial and material aid has increased threefold over the last year.
Doctors of the World is ready for any new escalation of the conflict. Emergency medical stocks (kits for primary healthcare, surgery, caesarean and decontamination) are ready to help civilians as early as possible.
With more than 100,000 casualties, countless people injured, 1.8 million refugees and 4 million internally displaced people, the numbers keep soaring in Syria.
Doctors of the World reminds the international community that whatever its future initiatives, only an urgent ceasefire will guarantee access to all those populations in distress.