Doctors working in hospitals treating earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria say there is an urgent need for trauma kits, antibiotics and pain relief as well as more specialised equipment for hand, foot and brain surgery.
Action Against Hunger has distributed medical supplies including surgical gloves, syringes, chest tube sets, and catheters to the largest hospitals in Aleppo to enable trauma and emergency surgery. It also providing support to ambulance services providing PPE such as headtorches and surgical gloves as well as supporting emergency communications.
As the extent of the tragedy becomes increasingly clear, medical professionals say that crush injuries in the extremities – particularly hands and feet – are widespread, and there’s a need for specialist treatment for brain injuries.
The DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal is supporting hospitals and medical services through DEC member charities and their local partners in both countries. The appeal has now raised £74.1 million in five days, including £5 million matched by the UK Government through the UK Aid Match scheme.
Surgeons say they need supplies such as orthopaedic screws and nails, anaesthetics and analgesics. There is a shortage of skilled medical professionals trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery, neurosurgery and hand surgery.
Kidney injuries have created a spike in need for dialysis machines and kidney specialists. ICU equipment is also required, such as ventilators.
Haidi Sadik, Deputy Country Director for Syria at Action Against Hunger, said: “Those providing healthcare for survivors of the earthquake are now overwhelmed; Action Against Hunger in Syria has distributed essential medical supplies to the largest hospitals in Aleppo to enable trauma and emergency surgery, and is also providing support to ambulances.”
At the same time there are fears of deadly waterborne diseases spreading, which would particularly affect children. Thousands of people are without safe drinking water and sanitation facilities such as running water and toilets, increasing the risks. Even before the earthquake there was already a cholera outbreak in north-west Syria.
Haidi continued: “In light of the recent cholera outbreak in the same region now heavily affected by last week’s earthquake, Action Against Hunger is addressing public health risks and the spread of infectious diseases, which contribute to malnutrition, by restoring access to safe water to families displaced by the earthquake.”
Notes to editors:
For more information or interviews with Action Against Hunger spokespeople, contact David or Jo press@actionagainsthunger.org.uk or 0208293 6130 to arrange.
Action Against Hunger is the world’s leading charity stopping life-threatening hunger in its tracks. By training parents and healthcare workers to spot the signs, we get life-saving care to people who need it. Action Against Hunger’s research drives forward understanding of how to predict, prevent and treat life-threatening hunger. With unbeatable knowledge and unstoppable determination, the charity supported more than 26 million people across 51 countries in 2021.
For more information, please visit Action Against Hunger UK’s website or follow Action Against Hunger UK on Twitter and Facebook,LinkedIn, and Instagram.
About the DEC: The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities at times of crisis overseas to raise funds quickly and efficiently. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response. The DEC’s 15 member charities are: Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.
Fourteen of the DEC’s 15 members are either responding or planning to respond in Turkey and Syria and will receive funds from this appeal. Some may work through trusted local partners, such as Action Against Hunger.
A collection of images and video footage of the aftermath of the earthquake and DEC charities responding is available here.
How to donate:
- Online: Action Against Hunger UK