UOSSM USA is a registered 501(c)(3) 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’s response to the earthquake in Syria and Turkey was immediate, due to the existing framework and operations in northwest Syria since 2012. With over 1800 staff on the ground, our team has been working tirelessly, for almost two months, despite all the pain and heartache, to alleviate the suffering and help heal and save lives of earthquake victims. Many of UOSSM’s staff found themselves as victims but continued to push and help save lives.
Some injuries of earthquake victims are minor, but many are complicated causing lives to be lost, limbs to be amputated, and recovery to be extremely difficult. The earthquake left many children without families, changing countless lives forever. Even cancer patients are having difficulty accessing crucial medical care in Turkey, leaving innocent lives to battle the horrible disease with little relief.
UOSSM proudly has provided 80,265 consultations to 51,373 patients, provided 1172 major surgeries and 191 minor surgeries, along with other vital services such as diagnostics, dialysis, and blood unit distribution through our 30 hospitals and health facilities, 10 mobile clinics, and 62 ambulances since February 6.
At least 50,000 were killed, hundreds of thousands were injured, and thousands upon thousands were displaced, many for a second, third, or even fourth time.
There is still so much to do. Please support our work as we continue to provide the victims with the care and humanitarian relief they deserve.
On March 1, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited northwest Syria following the devastating earthquakes that hit northern Syria and southern Turkey on February 6, to evaluate the situation assessing area hospitals including UOSSM’s Aqrabat Hospital. In addition, the Director met with UOSSM’s Country Director, Dr. Daher Zedan, to better understand current medical needs in northwest Syria, and to coordinate a future response plan. The WHO team also met with the Idlib Health Directorate and representatives of other humanitarian organizations on the ground as they discussed the difficulties the health sector faced with the catastrophic earthquake, needs to support the medical sector, and planning a coordinated response in the near future.
Dr Tedros said at a media briefing following the visits,”WHO is playing our role in supporting the Syrian people, who have responded incredibly with the little that they have. WHO has been delivering essential medicines, supplies, and equipment for years, as well as on the day the earthquakes struck. And we will do more. But the people of northwest Syria need the assistance of the international community to recover and rebuild. Even before the earthquake, more than 90% of the Syrian people were living below the poverty line…I call on the international community – governments, philanthropies and individuals – to dig deep to lift up those who are enduring unimaginable loss, poverty and deprivation.”
Yasmeen is 4 years old. She was severely injured in the earthquake in the Jandaris area in northwest Syria. She was rushed to Aqrabat Hospital where she received immediate emergency care for her injuries. She had to have emergency surgery to repair her broken metatarsal bones in the foot by inserting rods. Doctors also investigated the dead tissue that resulted from the crush injuries. The surgery was a success.
Yasmeen has been in the hospital receiving the medical care she needs to make a full recovery. Many of the staff love her sweet personality and she trusted them to care for her and change her bandages. Her health continues to improve. She especially developed a connection with one of her caregivers Abd Al Jawad, who helped her with her pain both physically and emotionally.
We thank all our staff who have been working tirelessly to help save lives, minutes after the earthquake, despite being in terrible situations themselves including the loss of loved ones, injuries, and becoming displaced.
Together, we will continue to save lives and build hope.
You can continue to support our earthquake relief efforts by donating here.
Edinburg, TX – Just two weeks after the catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey and northern Syria, two more earthquakes with 6.4 and 5.8 magnitudes just shook the region, terrifying people once again. UOSSM initial reports show at least 94 injuries and several collapsed buildings in northwest Syria. Most of the injuries are a result of people panicking, many are even jumping from buildings. Those numbers could continue to rise as the earthquake hit at night. Initial reports in Turkey indicate at least three deaths and over 123 injuries, those numbers are expected to rise as well. The region has been experiencing hundreds of aftershocks since the initial earthquake. UOSSM staff are already receiving and treating victims.
The earthquake on February 6 has killed at least 46,000 people, injured tens of thousands, displaced hundreds of thousands, and caused the collapse of thousands of buildings in Turkey and Syria. Many more buildings could collapse after these earthquakes as a result of weakened foundations and structures from the previous earthquake and aftershocks.
UOSSM has been on the ground since the earthquake hit providing emergency medical care to the victims through its hospitals and healthcare facilities, medical and mental health care services through its mobile clinics integrated with mental health, and transported and referred victims as needed in the hardest hit areas.
In addition, through our local partners on the ground, we have helped with rescue and recovery, provided shelter, food, clothes, and non-food items.
The state on the ground is in dire need of immediate and increased global, humanitarian support to allow local humanitarian actors to deliver essential assistance. Currently, three crossing points are authorized for humanitarian aid between Turkey and Syria. Collective solidarity is needed to ensure an immediate and effective response in the upcoming weeks and months ahead.
Dr. Anas Alkassem, Co-founder and Vice Chairman of UOSSM Canada was already on the ground in a medical mission in Syria. As he was visiting Aqrabat Hospital the earthquakes hit saying in a live video, “We are at the Aqrabat hospital at the moment, we felt the terrible shock, a quake that brought fear to all patients and staff. All staff and patients are safe, yet we had to evacuate patients including children to the outdoor space. We hope there will be no injuries and casualties, yet we are waiting, prepared, and ready to receive cases.” You can watch his video here.
Dr. Khaula Sawah, President of UOSSM USA said, “Our hearts go out to the people of Syria and Turkey who have been living in a constant state of fear, panic, and heartbreak since February 6. We call on the international community to remember that these people have been affected both physically and mentally and will need support from the world as they try to heal and rebuild. We pray for the safety of everyone in both countries, this is so tragic.”
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…
The psychosocial support team at UOSSM USA in Jordan participated in a workshop entitled, "The Latest Techniques in Psychotherapy (TMS)" offered by psychiatric specialist, Dr. Ashraf El Salhi.
The workshop focused on the latest therapeutic techniques reached by science in psychiatry, and the concept of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
شارك فريق الدعم النفسي الاجتماعي في منظمة UOSSM USA ورشة عمل بعنوان
"احدث التقنيات في العلاج النفسي TMS" مع اختصاصي الطب النفسي الدكتور أشرف الصالحي.
والتي ركزت ورشة العمل على أحدث التقنيات العلاجية التي توصل اليها العلم في الطب النفسي، ومفهوم العلاج بالتحفيز المغناطيسي عبر الجمجمة TMS.
#UOSSM #UOSSMUSA #Psychotherapy #Jordan #Humanitarian #MentalHealth
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The effects of the Turkey/Syria earthquake can still be felt strongly in Aqrabat Hospital as it continues to specialty services to earthquake victims and patients. Every day at least 15 injured patients receive care for their injuries with dressing, bandages, and follow up on healing.
Dr. Muheeb Qadour, a specialized orthopedic and reconstructive surgeon, describes the situation in Aqrabat hospital saying, " The hospital has been put under a lot of pressure after the earthquake, we are working to our fullest extent to provide relief and alleviate the suffering of earthquake victims. We hope the medical sector will continue to receive support as it is in major need after 12 years of war and the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria."
The hospital provides specialty care in orthopedics and reconstructive surgeries, which is vital for earthquake crush injuries. In addition, the hospital has several specialty clinics, surgeries, radiology and emergency care.
YOUR support is crucial to keep hospitals like Aqrabat Hospital operating and providing medical services to those who need it most.
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#UOSSM #AqrabatHospital #Medical #Humanitarian #TurkeySyriaEarthquake #NorthwestSyria #Orthopedics #CrushSyndrome
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جزاكم الله خيراً
UOSSM immediately launched mobile clinics to reach the hardest hit areas by the earthquake. Currently, 10 mobile clinics, integrated with nutrition, community health, and mental health services, travel throughout northwest Syria to support and provide these crucial medical services to displaced families and earthquake victims. The need is so great, please continue to support our work!
#UOSSM #TurkeySyriaEarthquake #humanitarian #medical #mobileclinics
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الله يعطيكم العافيه وبارك الله في جهود من عمل وساهم وخفف من معاناة اهلنا في الداخل
جزاكم الله كل خير
جزاكم الله خير الجزاء
الله يجزاكم الخير
Dr. Muheeb Hool, an orthopedic surgeon from مستشفى عقربات Aqrabat Hospital described the aftermath of the earthquake as, "A major trial, with many heavy hours, our staff has not slept for several days because of the massive number of patients with bodies ripped apart by the devastating earthquake."
UOSSM has been on the ground from day 1 providing medical care and humanitarian relief to earthquake victims.
With your support, we can continue to save lives and build hope.
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#UOSSM #NorthWestSyria #TurkeySyriaEarthquake #Medical #Humanitarian #Hope #Displaced #Ramadan #Donate
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From our UOSSM family to all those celebrating- Ramadan Mubarak! May it be filled with peace, blessings, and joy for all! 🙏☪️🧡 ... See MoreSee Less
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UOSSM USA IS A FEDERALLY TAX-EXEMPT NON-PROFIT 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION. TAX ID 47-3403988
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