February 2020 Activities and Updates from UOSSM USA
Humanitarian Disaster Continues in Idlib, Syria
February was an especially brutal month in Idlib, Syria, as the humanitarian disaster continued. Hundreds of thousands were displaced, schools were bombed, hospitals and medical facilities were targeted, medical staff and doctors were killed. Hundreds of thousands continued to flee the violence and bombardment, with an estimated 500,000 children. There are shortages of medical and humanitarian supplies as people continue to live in cold temperatures with inadequate shelter. UOSSM USA launched the fundraising campaign, “Idlib is Burning” to provide emergency and life-saving medical care to those who need it most.
Collaborative Efforts to Prevent Malnutrition in Syria after Waves of Mass Displacement
In response to the humanitarian catastrophe, with over 948,000 people newly displaced including 500,000 children, UOSSM USA, in collaboration with UOSSM Turkey, provided food supplies to over 3000 families over January and February 2020. Thanks to our supporters, 3000 families were provided with food kits, preventing malnutrition. This initiative is a proactive measure to prevent the spread of malnutrition and is part of the UOSSM Nutrition Program. This will be an ongoing effort to continue preventing malnutrition for the displaced in northern Syria.
UOSSM’s Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Center Offers Social Activities for Child Integration into Society
In an initiative to increase the social inclusion of children into society, the UOSSM Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Center in Reyhanli, Turkey offered several activities for Syrian and Turkish children. The activities focused on eliminating violence and bullying in schools, raising awareness among children on negative feelings occurring as a result of violence and bullying, and approaches to dealing with negative feelings in these situations.
UOSSM Representative Visits Bangladesh to Meet with Partners and Conduct a Study on Potential Projects
Dr. Ahmad Dbais represented UOSSM in a visit to Bangladesh to analyze the medical humanitarian situation. In addition, he met with partners for the establishment of potential projects based on the humanitarian situation in the area.
Impact- How Omar Overcame Difficulties and Walked Again
Omar was playing outside with friends, suddenly there was an airstrike. All of a sudden, his whole world changed. Omar was severely wounded and was transported to a hospital in Turkey. He spent four months in intensive care. The doctors tried, but could not save his legs. The damage was too extensive. Omar had to have both legs amputated.
Omar was so sad, he just wanted to be able to play with his friends and have a normal life without feeling so helpless. Omar started visiting UOSSM’s Physiotherapy Center in Turkey. First, he had to go through rigorous strength training, finally he was fitted with prosthetic legs. He learned how to balance himself and walk all over again. Omar was so determined and was able to walk again on his own in a matter of weeks! Thanks to our supporters who help children like Omar walk again. Together, we are saving lives and building hope.
Since 2012, UOSSM has been providing emergency medical relief and healthcare services to the Syrian people affected by the crisis, working primarily inside Syria and with Syrian refugees in Turkey.
In 2018:
