Over 1200 earthquake survivors in Syria – mainly families with small children – have received humanitarian assistance from the Russian Red Cross, the oldest humanitarian organization of Russia. The RRC delegation distributed several tons of baby formulae and food to Syrian citizens for children of different ages: from 0 to 6 months, from half-year to one year, from one year to one year and a half and older.
A 10-person team of physicians, psychosocial support and emergency response specialists has been working in Syria for a week now, in cooperation with the Latakia Governorate and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. This is the second humanitarian mission of the RRC to the Syrian Arab Republic. Humanitarian aid (baby food) was chosen in accordance with the needs of the population, because Syria is challenged by international sanctions, and there are practically no dairy products in the country, including those for children.
“This time we have significantly expanded the number of beneficiaries by traveling to the suburbs and environs of Latakia. People in villages and hamlets are in dire need of help, not only humanitarian aid, but also psychological and medical care. During the first week of work, we have already provided support to the inhabitants of 8 villages in the Hamam El-Karaleh district, a total of 1280 people: 1230 children received baby food and more than 50 adults and children received medical care. We distributed among people several tons of humanitarian aid, mainly baby food, as there are a lot of children, including newborns. Humanitarian kits have been formed for children of different ages: for baby powdered milk formulae, fruit puree and canned meat, and for older children, meat and fruit purees, as well as cereal bars,” said Alexey Pikul, Head of Disaster Management Department of the Russian Red Cross.
A total of 226 children under the age of two and 1004 children 3 to 10 years of age received nutrition aid.
The RRC team brought various medical equipment: blood pressure monitors, ultrasound machines, first aid kits, pulse oximeters, personal protective equipment, electrocardiography machines, inhalers, non-drug preparations, analyzers for the measurement of cholesterol, glucose, hemoglobin, etc.
“We examined about fifty patients, all of them underwent a complete primary medical examination: they passed tests to determine glucose, hemoglobin and cholesterol levels in blood; we measured their blood pressure and temperature. Besides, the medical examination for all the patients included electrocardiography, ultrasonography of the abdominal organs, thyroid gland and heart. For medical indications, some patients received intramuscular injections and intravenous infusions, and some received medical prescriptions and medicines. We also held awareness conversations with all patients about a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition,” said Munzer Salah Anas, an endocrinologist who is working as a member of the RRC team in Syria.
In addition, the psychosocial support specialists of the Russian Red Cross are providing individual psychological counseling to the affected people and their loved ones. Not only adults but also children can receive support.
Two devastating earthquakes with magnitudes 7.7 and 7.6 occurred on February 6, 2023 in the province of Kahramanmaras in southeastern Turkey. Tremors and aftershocks were also felt in the neighboring countries, in particular in Syria.
During the first two-week humanitarian mission in March 2023, the Russian Red Cross team provided assistance to more than 1000 people in need. Out of them, more than 330 received medical care and almost 800 received psychosocial support.
