Supporting displaced Syrian families fleeing the war in north-eastern Syria by sending medicines, distributing hygiene kits and equipping the health centres of our partner, the Kurdish Red Crescent (Heyva Sor a Kurd): this is the aim of 'Safe'.
Thanks to the support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the Otto per Mille of the Waldensian Church and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, we are able to guarantee health care to thousands of civilians on a daily basis, who would otherwise not have access to adequate treatment.
Launched in July 2016, during the first phase we started distributing medicines and first aid kits, supporting and setting up four clinics (Derik, Amude and Serikaniye and Qamishlo).
In just 6 months of work, we have ensured free access to basic services for internal medicine, paediatrics and reproductive health, set up pharmaceutical dispensaries, which are now present in all clinics, offered leishmaniasis treatment, cancer treatment and health care for transfusion and post-transplant patients. We set up 3 humanitarian shipments covering the needs of 40,000 dependents, distributed hygiene and sanitation kits for 600 families.
At the same time, we laid the foundations for long-term work that focused on training for Kurdish Red Crescent workers, both in administrative-managerial and psycho-social support.
The second phase of the project, launched at the end of May 2017, saw a further expansion of activities and presence on the ground.
From the 4 initial clinics, we have chosen to intensify our work by increasing the number of health centres supported to 6 and by strengthening the offer of paediatric and reproductive health services: once again, we choose to pay special attention to the most vulnerable who risk bearing the double burden of war and displacement, such as women and children, who need specific attention and precise intervention plans.
The intervention was also extended to displaced persons in Raqqa, equipping the clinic in Serekanye (Ras el Ein) with an ambulance system capable of serving the camps of the fleeing displaced persons.
The goal is to reach over 88,000 displaced people in 10 months, not forgetting Iraqi refugees who have crossed the border fleeing Mosul in recent months. In addition, at least 100 staff members of the Kurdish Red Crescent will be able to receive specialised training on reproductive health protection and combating gender-based violence, strengthening their knowledge and the effectiveness of their intervention.
