Massive Spike In Violence Leaves 3 Hospitals Bombed In 4 Hours
Toronto, ON- A massive spike in violence today in the areas of southern Idlib and northern Hama in Syria has left 3 hospitals, 3 ambulance centres and 3 White Helmets facilities out of service. Two paramedics and a female custodian were killed and several others were wounded.
At 11 a.m. Damascus time, the Hand in Hand Hospital (formerly Orient Hospital) in Kafr Nabl was attacked and put out of service. The hospital sustained major damage and people near the hospital were wounded.
The Al-Rahma Hospital in Khan Sheikhoun was hit by airstrikes minutes after 11 a.m. and put out of service. Several staff and patients were wounded, three ambulances and a diesel generator were destroyed.
At approximately noon Damascus time, Al-Tuh Maternity Hospital, southeast of Maarat al Nouman, was attacked and put out of service. The pediatric and women’s departments were hit resulting in one female custodian killed and several others were wounded.
Two paramedics from Shamuna Ambulance Systems were killed in attacks on three ambulance systems, as they were caring for the wounded. A primary healthcare center was also attacked wounding several people. In addition, three Syria Civil Defense (White Helmets) centers were attacked as the White Helmets were working to rescue victims.
“Today is a truly grim day for aid workers in Syria. Less than a year ago, we were seeing medical facilities attacked every 72 hours. The past few months were relatively quiet, but after today's sickening attacks, our optimism has been shattered. Attacks on medical facilities and aid workers is a war crime. For peace agreements to hold any credibility, the attacks on civilians and aid must stop and perpetrators of these crimes must be held accountable.” Said Dr. Anas Al Kassam, Surgeon and Board Member of UOSSM Canada
The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations extends it's deepest condolences to the families of those lost in today's attacks. UOSSM strongly condemns attacks on medical facilities, medical staff, and civilians and has just launched the 'Doctors In Danger' Campaign to raise awareness of this issue. UOSSM calls on the international community to put an immediate end to these attacks.
Media inquiries and interviews please contact :
Name: Avi D'Souza
Global Director Of Communications
Email: press@uossm.org
Phone: 001 (647) 528-5029
About UOSSM:
UOSSM (Union des Organisations de Secours et Soins Médicaux) provides free medical aid to the people of Syria regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion or political affiliation. UOSSM international, founded by Syrian Doctors around the world, started in 2012 and operates 12 major hospitals and supports 120 clinics inside Syria. UOSSM has performed over 1,000,000 medical treatments inside Syria since inception.