FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUG 27, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF) is thrilled to announce the successful visit of five doctors to the Rukban IDP Camp in Southern Syria. This landmark visit lasting over six weeks marks the first time a medical delegation has entered the besieged camp since its inception in 2014. The medical team was made up of dentist Dr. Majed Alazzawi, pediatrician Dr. Muhammed Bakr Ghbeis, neurosurgeon Dr. Rami Kalazi, oral surgeon Dr. Temim Cübeyinoğlu, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, and medical administrator Sullivan Gaudreault.
Rukban Camp is one of the most inaccessible locations in the world, largely due to a siege and starve campaign led by Russia, the Assad regime and Iran, leaving its 8,000 residents deprived of even the most basic necessities and forcing them to rely on smuggled food and essential supplies, often at exorbitant prices. The camp’s lack of basic sanitation and safe drinking water, coupled with a severe healthcare deficit, has led to widespread suffering and deaths from preventable conditions and illnesses.
SETF’s delegation of doctors was able to see and treat over a thousand patients, relieving pain and providing much-needed answers to countless residents. In addition to performing multiple successful surgeries, the doctors addressed a wide range of medical conditions that had long gone untreated. The dentists made significant strides in oral health, saving and preserving over 600 teeth from severe cavities and decay, while also removing over 1,000 teeth that could not be saved. Despite limited supplies, the dentists were also able to educate some children on oral hygiene and health, laying the foundation for better dental care practices in the future.
Anowar Al-Mahmoudi, resident of Rukban camp for six years explains that, “The medical situation has been very bad since we came here many years ago. There were no doctors, specialists, or pharmacists, the situation was very bad.” He adds, “But after the doctors came here, people felt that someone cared about them, that someone was listening to them and understood their suffering. We rely on the hopes that doctors will return soon.”
Since June 2023, SETF has successfully carried out several aid distributions and deliveries, including seeds, irrigation equipment, baby milk, prenatal vitamins, educational materials, and more. These efforts, along with the doctors’ visit to the camp have been made possible thanks to the support of the Denton Humanitarian Aid Program that allows us to utilize space available on U.S. military planes for the transfer of humanitarian aid and essential personnel. This collaborative effort represents a significant victory, enabling doctors to serve and treat thousands of civilians in Rukban. SETF remains committed to its mission of providing vital humanitarian and medical support to the people of Rukban, tirelessly working to improve their living conditions and ensure access to basic human needs. Please reach out to the contact information below if you work in the healthcare field and are interested in supporting the people of Rukban.
About the Syrian Emergency Task Force
The Syrian Emergency Task Force is a Syrian-American 501(c)(3) headquartered in Washington, D.C. SETF works tirelessly to bring an end to the killing in Syria through humanitarian initiatives, advocacy and the pursuit of justice and accountability for war crimes. Today, SETF stands as the most notable American organization working on Syria, as evidenced by the impact it has made both on the ground in Syria and the U.S. SETF serves as a resource for education by bringing the voices of the Syrian people to the international stage. From testimonies at the UN Security Council to local grassroots community fundraisers, the team brings together like-minded people who are determined to fight for a safe, and free Syria away from the vicious dictatorship.
For inquiries, please contact:
Maria Cure, Director of Communications
[email protected]
+1 (856) 417-2767
www.setf.ngo