FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF) is proud to announce the successful completion of the September delegation of medical professionals to the Rukban IDP Camp in Southern Syria. This visit builds upon the critical groundwork laid by the first mission in August 2024, delivering much-needed medical attention to a community that has been starved of essential services for over nine years. This recent mission, spanning ten days, brought together a diverse group of medical specialists, including a bone surgeon, an anesthesiologist, a surgical assistant, a dentist and jaw surgeon, and a medical administrator with a focus on addressing urgent health needs among the camp’s 8,000 residents.
Despite the overwhelming challenges and isolation in Rukban due to an ongoing siege and starvation campaign by Russian, Iranian, and Assad regime forces, the medical team was able to address a broad spectrum of health issues, provided life-saving care, performed multiple surgeries, and continued dental services that were initiated during the first visit. Dr. Mohammed Ikhtyiar, a bone surgeon who was part of the delegation, expressed the significance of visiting Rukban: “Our goal is to provide continuity of care and support for a community that has been cut off from the world for too long. We are building on the progress that has been made by previous medical delegations and are counting on future delegations to continue advancing this work.”
One of the most impactful outcomes of this second monthly medical mission was the growing sense of trust between Rukban’s residents and the medical teams. For many, this visit was a sign that the world has not forgotten them. Residents echoed the sentiments of Fatima Muhammad who has lived in Rukban for seven years: “When we see these doctors return, it gives us hope. They treat more than our physical wounds; they remind us that we are not alone in this struggle.”
Since June 2023, SETF has orchestrated several crucial aid deliveries, including food, medical supplies, and educational materials. With each successful mission, the organization’s efforts deepen, empowering residents with the tools to survive and thrive in the face of inhumane conditions. SETF is committed to sustaining these missions, with plans for monthly delegations to ensure continued care and support for Rukban’s residents. SETF calls upon medical professionals to support us in bringing lasting change to the lives of the forgotten people in Rukban. Together, we can continue to be a lifeline for those in need.