Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been working on the ground in Syria for the past two months, trying to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by the conflict. With the help of a group of Syrian doctors, in six days a team was able to transform an empty house into an emergency hospital, where wounded people could be operated on and hospitalized.

Syria 2012 © MSF

As of mid-August, MSF has admitted more than 300 patients to this facility and carried out 150 surgeries. The injuries have been largely conflict-related and caused mostly by tank shelling and bombing. Many patients have suffered gunshot wounds. The majority of the patients have been men, but up to one in 10 are women, and approximately one in five are under the age of 20. According to the medical team, two-thirds of the procedures carried out were emergency surgeries.

However, the future of the project is uncertain. In addition to the fact that MSF is working without authorization from the Syrian authorities, activities are under threat by the changing nature of the conflict, difficulties accessing supplies, and the challenges the injured face in reaching the hospital.

Considering the level of violence that is rife in Syria today, the MSF team, comprising Syrian and international staff, is only able to provide a limited amount of medical support. This assistance is nonetheless essential for the survival of the people treated at the hospital.

For Anna Nowak, Kelly Dilworth and Brian Moller, veteran MSF medical staff who just returned from Syria, the patients and the kinds of wounds treated by MSF surgical team bear witness to the use of heavy artillery and the violence of a war that doesn’t spare civilians.

Aside from the surgical project, MSF is distributing drugs and other medical supplies in Syria. Despite the difficulties accessing the country, MSF remains ready to assist all victims of the conflict and staff continue to expand activities in Syria and neighbouring countries. At present, MSF is admitting about 50 injured Syrians a month to its reconstructive surgery project in Amman, Jordan. Staff are also offering psychological support and primary care to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. MSF’s 2012 budget for Syria-related activities is currently estimated at more than $6 million.

Related News:

 ‘It makes you angry and sad to see the impact on people’s lives’ - 28.09.2012 11:20

 MSF donates supplies to Syrian Arab Red Crescent - 10.09.2012 11:16

 “We’re getting good results” - 22.08.2012 15:58

 “Some arrived too late to be saved” - 22.08.2012 15:30

 “Injured people started coming from everywhere” - 22.08.2012 15:26

 Syrian refugees need humanitarian aid - 14.08.2012 12:13

 Wounded Syrians arriving every day for surgery - 26.07.2012 15:20

 Meeting the health needs of Syrian refugees  - 21.06.2012 15:40

 Being caught with a patient means death for doctor and patient - 15.05.2012 05:01

 Safety of wounded, medical workers must be a priority - 15.05.2012 04:59