November 2020 Activities and Updates from UOSSM USA
UOSSM USA Continues Winterization Campaign for Displaced Families in Northwest Syria
Winter is almost here, and for those living in displacement camps in northwest Syria, this is the beginning of a season filled with human suffering and misery from extreme cold and horrible living conditions. Tens of thousands of families are living in displacement camps with little to no access to the basic necessities needed to survive. Many do not even have tents. COVID-19 remains an immediate threat with no ability to social distance in crowded displacement camps, no access to clean water and soap, and weakened immunity due to limited access to food and medical care. These families will be living in the extreme cold with hardly any protection from the outside elements.
UOSSM USA is taking proactive measures to protect thousands of internally displaced families in camps this winter. We want to help distribute tents, warm blankets, hygiene kits, and nutritional food baskets to those who need it most. This initiative will help save their lives and alleviate their suffering. YOU CAN HELP! For $400 we can provide a family of 5 with 1 tent, blankets, and a 3 month’s supply of nutritious food and hygiene essentials. This is less than $5/day. Every dollar helps. Our ultimate goal is to raise $400,000 to provide these winter kits to 1000 families. Please support our work and help us provide them with nutrition, shelter and warmth.
Please click here if you would like to support this campaign.
UOSSM Continues Response to COVID-19 Pandemic in Northern Syria
UOSSM continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing medical care in northern Syria. There has been an alarming rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the area. UOSSM continues to provide medical care and has trained healthcare service providers on handling COVID-19 cases. In addition, UOSSM established 12 testing and triage centers outside of 12 healthcare centers, and established 12 COVID-19 Community Treatment Centers. UOSSM has also distributed over 50,000 KN95 masks, provided the Idlib National Hospital with an oxygen generator, repaired 11 additional oxygen generators for 11 other medical facilities, and is providing mental health support to healthcare workers on the front lines. UOSSM continues to provide awareness campaigns about COVID-19 as well, and is continuing with the following measures:
- Supporting primary health care centers (PHCs)
- Establishing and operating community-based isolation centers (CBICs)
- Sterilization of displacement camps
- Distribution of hygiene kits containing sanitizing and personal care items
- Distribution of nutritious food baskets
- Establishing a distance-learning center in Afrin
- Distributing educational awareness brochures about COVID-19 in areas of displacement.
UOSSM Operates Two Medical Centers In Cooperation with Kilis Health Directorate
On November 14, Dr. Mahmoud Arek, the Kilis Health Director, handed over two medical centers to UOSSM in Barooza and Ihtimalat in eastern Aazaz of northern Aleppo. UOSSM will operate the centers following Turkish healthcare standards and protocols. UOSSM will manage both medical centers that will provide the following medical services: internal medicine, dental clinic, midwife and pediatric clinic, pharmacy, diagnostic laboratory, mental health and psychosocial support services.
Impact Story- Abd Al Jaleel’s Story: From Severe Malnutrition to Completely Healthy
This baby has been suffering since he was born. He is part of a displaced family living in a displacement camp in the southern Idlib countryside. His father was killed by a bombing… Abd Al Jaleel, 1, was brought to the UOSSM Maarat Masreen Primary Healthcare Center because he was losing weight and did not have an appetite. He had been very sick with infections since he was 4 months old.
After Abd Al Jaleel was examined, he was referred to the nutrition clinic for further nutrition care. His arm circumference was measured with the MUAC bracelet showing that he had severe acute malnutrition. We are happy to report that after two months of treatment and follow up at the nutrition clinic, Abd Al Jaleel is no longer malnourished and is eating well again! He continues to visit the center for follow up nutrition care treatment and prevention.
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 2019:
- UOSSM provided medical services to almost 1.5 million people in Syria and Turkey
- UOSSM provided primary health care services to over 235,000 people
- UOSSM provided protection services to over 29,000 people
- UOSSM provided over 93,500 beneficiaries with nutrition services focused on
women and children - UOSSM Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services provided care to over 34,000 people
- UOSSM Bab Al Hawa Hospital provided health care services to over 1 million patients since establishment through the end of 2019
