UOSSM USA was recently awarded two grants by Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) for the support of two food insecurity projects in Cincinnati, Ohio. With rising prices across the nation, many families are struggling just to keep up. Consequently, securing healthy food is no longer a priority in the face of rising costs. But with the support of IRUSA, UOSSM USA has been helping these families overcome the challenge of food insecurity.
During the holy month of Ramadan (April), UOSSM USA partnered with the Islamic Association of Cincinnati (IAC) – Clifton Mosque to distribute 80 food baskets to 75 vulnerable families through its food pantry. These food baskets were comprised of food essentials such as meat, bread, beans, rice, lentils, and dates, needed to keep families healthy.
During the month of Dhul Hijjah (July), UOSSM USA partnered with Casablanca Market in Cincinnati to distribute close to 1,400 pounds of Adahi/Qurbani (lamb) meat to 184 vulnerable families.
Since 2018, UOSSM has been distributing food essentials in Syria and Jordan to families in need. The nutrition provided helps protect their health by building strength and immunity through nutrition ultimately aiding in warding off disease. UOSSM USA is now leading similar efforts in local communities within the US.
Dr. Khaula Sawah, President of UOSSM USA expressed: “It was wonderful to partner with Islamic Relief USA and our local partners for these food insecurity projects that are so needed right here in our Cincinnati community. UOSSM USA has been doing this type of work for many years for needy, displaced, refugee, and underserved families in areas of crisis such as Syria and Jordan, but thanks to the generous support of Islamic Relief USA and that of our local partners, we are able to bring this type of humanitarian relief to our local communities. We are helping to strengthen the health and overall wellbeing of these families. But more importantly, we are giving these families not only hope, but also the dignity to persevere.”
Fighting Hunger through Adahi/Qurbani Meat Distribution
UOSSM USA distributed Adahi/Qurbani meat to 250 displaced families in Rukban Camp along the Syrian/Jordanian border. Around 12,000 displaced people, 80% of whom are children and women, are living in this makeshift camp. More than half of those families are in dire need with extremely limited access to food, clean water, and medical care. You can help us reach more families with support by clicking here.
UOSSM USA also distributed Adahi/Qurbani meat to 184 needy and underserved families in the Cincinnati area in partnership with Casablanca Market, thanks to a grant award from Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA).
During this annual tradition, we were able to continue building hope for those in need!
Exhibiting Art “Through Their Eyes”
On July 4th, UOSSM held its second annual art exhibit entitled, “Let’s See Through Their Eyes” in the city of Al Bab. The gallery displayed artwork and handmade crafts by patients of the local mental health hospital.
Over 80 different pieces of art including drawings, paintings, paperwork, knitted items, calligraphy, and other art pieces were displayed.
Their artwork helps patients develop a sense of importance and pride, thus improving their mental health and overall wellbeing.
Operating a New Hospital in Idlib
UOSSM recently signed an agreement with OCHA to operate Qunya Hospital in Idlib.
Located in a highly prioritized area within the vicinity of Idlib, Jisr Al Shughour, and Qunya, the hospital is well equipped with important medical equipment and includes a vaccination room that provides routine vaccines and the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, there is a special incinerator for waste management.
The hospital provides medical consultations to around 7,500 patients a month.
Over the past 11 years, the electrical infrastructure and network in Syria have suffered immense damages due to ongoing violence. Through the UOSSM technical team, which leads the Health Resilience Program, six health facilities will be powered by the Solar Photovoltaic System by September 2022.
The main goal of this intervention is to ensure the continuity of service within the medical facilities, through clean and advanced technologies “solar photovoltaic systems.” This will reduce operating expenses (expected to be over 85%), and secure energy during power outages, or diesel shortages.
This will ultimately increase resilience and the independence from these factors (fuel and power) within Syria’s health care system.
On July 5th, UOSSM held a ceremony to launch the “Amal and Takamul” (Hope and Integration) Project in Syria with the purpose of establishing a mental health department in the Free Aleppo University. Attendees included representatives from the European Union, Free Aleppo University, the Syrian Board of Medical Specialties (SBOMS), and other donors and partners.
The residency program will last for four years at the UOSSM Center for Mental Health in Northwest Syria and will include a full curriculum for mental health care established by the Arab Council for Mental Health Care.
Edinburg, TX – On Friday, August 19, 15 civilians were killed, including five children, and over 30 others were injured, including at least 11 children, in military attacks on a popular market, a school, and civilian homes in Al Bab in northern Syria. The school and homes were significantly damaged.
Many displaced families live in Al Bab after seeking refuge from major attacks in 2018-2019. Al Bab is one of the largest cities in the eastern countryside of Aleppo.
Dr. Khaula Sawah, president of UOSSM USA said, “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families of these heinous crimes against innocent civilians. Over the years, Al Bab has been the subject of several military bombings and attacks, an area where displaced families have moved to as a last resort fleeing violence. We just commemorated the ninth year since the chemical attack in Ghouta and civilians continue to be targeted to this day. We call on the international community to put a stop to attacks on civilians and civilian areas, and to hold the perpetrators accountable.”
Attacks on civilian areas leave 15 dead including 5 children.
Miracle Story: Miraculous Survival of 3-Year-Old Girl
3-year-old Safa almost died by drowning. She fell into a sewer but by the time her family reached her in the sewage, she was unconscious. Her parents thought they had lost their beautiful child but they did not give up hope.
Safa was rushed to the recently opened Al-Andalus Hospital (see “New Beginnings” story below) where doctors literally saved her life. After being in the ICU on a ventilator for three days, Safa miraculously regained consciousness and was able to breathe on her own. After a few more days, Safa was given a clean bill of health and went home to her family. What a miracle story!
We are so grateful that this story had a happy ending. Thanks to our supporters, children like Safa have access to vital, lifesaving, dignified, free, quality medical and mental health care. Through your kindness, YOU are helping ensure that these children and their families receive the healthcare they deserve. Because of your generous gift, children like Safa can become stronger both physically and emotionally, paving the way towards a healthier and more promising future.
Together, we continue to save lives and build hope!
Fourth Surgical Medical Mission in Ukraine
In early June, UOSSM completed its 4th medical mission in Ukraine, in partnership with the David Nott Foundation (DNF). The 2-week surgical trainings, Hostile Environment Surgical Trainings (HEST) were led by world-renowned trauma surgeon Dr. David Nott, and his team from the UK. Recognized as the “Indiana Jones of surgery”, Dr. Nott often volunteers to work in disaster and war zones. Dr. Nott partnered with UOSSM in the past to provide these vital trainings to Syrian doctors in Syria and Turkey, training them to save lives from war wounds and injuries.
The recent HEST trainings in Ukraine included one three-day training in Dnipro, with 38 surgeons, and another three-day training in Kharkiv, where 30 surgeons received the intensive training course. One complicated surgery was also performed on a patient with severe war wounds.
Dr. Khaula Sawah and Dr. Monzer Yazji, both co-founders of UOSSM USA, joined the surgical trainings. In addition, Dr. Sawah met with the director of the Ukrainian Ministry of Public Health Center of Emergency Medical Aid and Disaster Medicine, Dr. Vitaliy Kryliuk, who was very appreciative of the work UOSSM, along with DNF, is doing on the ground in Ukraine. Dr. Kruylik emphasized the importance to provide doctors and surgeons with more advanced, structured, vital trainings, and to provide Training of Trainers (ToTs) courses to advance the skills of Ukrainian surgeons to handle and treat war zone injuries in particular on the frontlines to train fellow Ukrainian surgeons.
To learn more about our medical work in Ukraine click here.
Click here to support upcoming medical missions in Ukraine.
New Beginnings: UOSSM Opens Al-Andalus Hospital in Idlib
On June 28th, UOSSM officially opened Al-Andalus Hospital (formerly Abeen Hospital) which includes specialty clinics, operating rooms, and rehabilitation centers. The hospital serves a catchment area of 185,000 people. It is located in the vicinity of 67 camps of displacement with over 96,000 internally displaced persons. As such, it is vital for providing critical medical services to those who need it most in these hard-to-reach areas.
The hospital specializes in general, laparoscopic, urinary, and gynecological surgeries, and has other specialty departments including reproductive health, mental health, lab, and radiology. In addition, surgical, pediatric, gynecological, urinary care, and general surgeries are provided. The lab, radiology, emergency, and labor and delivery departments operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Via the Health Integrated Resilience System (HIRS) Telemedicine Platform, online consultations are still ongoing between local service providers and medical experts at two major mental health hospitals (Sarmada in Idlib, and Al-Bab in Aleppo). In addition, online consultations are provided in both Al-Ekhaa Hospital (Pediatrics Department) and Atmeh Charity Hospital (Intensive Care Unit).
Telemedicine helps reduce the gap among qualified health professionals (ICU, MH, NICU, and PICU) as it provides opportunities for consultations, educational opportunities, and mentorship with other specialists (diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for complex cases).
The Electric Vehicle (EV) continues to transport vaccines from cold rooms to primary healthcare facilities, in cooperation with the Syria Immunization Group (SIG). Each month, the EV distributes 12,000 vaccine doses.
In addition, the EV is vital for transporting and transferring COVID-19 patients, pregnant women, and children under one year old. As part of the referral network, the EV will also begin to transport patients in the near future.
The EV uses a lithium battery charged at health facilities powered by solar energy, making it 100% electric. The use of the EV is expected to result in long-term significant savings by reducing dependence on fuel and strengthening the health system.
UOSSM USA is a medical humanitarian organization, that provides medical relief, emergency lifesaving aid, and quality healthcare to those affected by crisis. UOSSM USA is dedicated to its mission and increases its impact by partnering with local communities and organizations world-wide and is non-political and non-sectarian in its mission…
UOSSM has played an integral role in the mental health and healthcare in the Syrian crisis. UOSSM established strategic initiatives early on in the crisis, working closely with local communities, the most vulnerable, particularly women & children, national and international organizations; providing quality healthcare services to millions of people in need…
Patients receiving urinary tract care at the urology center in Bab Al-Hawa. The center has three clinics to provide care to as many people as possible.
Our supporters help patients receive these specialty services, free of charge, every single day.
Together, we are saving lives and building hope.
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#UOSSM #urology #Syria #Idlib #humanitarian #medical #hope
جزاكم الله خيرا وبارك بجهودكم
Fun activities provided to children in the Ahlan Simsim (Welcome Sesame) center in Dayr Hesan. These activities introduce children to the similarities and differences among people through the "What's in the Box" activity, and different careers and jobs people in the community have through "The Community Tree" activity. This helps them to have more awareness about their surrounding community and different career paths.
#UOSSM #WelcomeSesame #hope #fun #MentalHealth
حسين عبد الله الحمود بتشتغل عندهم مترجم. أهلان
Nursing care being provided to patients at the Bab Al-Hawa Rehabilitation Center.
The center includes an emergency department, 4 special departments to admit patients, and a department exclusively for women. This ensures they receive their care with the utmost dignity and respect, which is something everyone deserves regardless of their situation.
Together, we are saving lives and building hope.
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#UOSSM #nursing #rehabilitation #dignity #medicalcare #humanitarian #Syria #Idlib #hope #displaced #refugees
On Sunday, September 18, 2022, The Idlib Health Directorate and #UOSSM held a graduation ceremony for 43 students who completed the #nursing diploma in ICU. This diploma comes in the framework of the R4HSSS project, and is the first of its kind in the area.
Such specialized diplomas aim at supplying the health sector with qualified nurses who have different specialties and high levels of qualifications.
Together, we continue to save lives and build hope.
#UOSSM #Syria #Idlib #nursing #humanitarian #medicalrelief #training.
Al Andalus Surgical Hospital provides general and urinary surgery, and has the following clinics: pediatric - urinary - general - gynecological and women's health - mental health - mhGap.
The pediatric department has a recovery wing with 17 beds and incubators, and 7 ICU neonatal incubators.
The women's department includes recovery, labor and delivery, surgeries, and includes labs and diagnostics, and a pharmacy.
The hospital provides vital services to those who need it most.
Together, we are saving lives and building hope.
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#UOSSM #pediatric #gynecology #urology #Syria #displaced #humanitarian #medicalrelief #neonatal #hope
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