217,000 IDPs in Daraa; Fastest Displacement in Syrian History

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As of 9:30 pm Damascus time, at least 217,000 people have been internally displaced from Daraa, with little to no access to food, clean water, shelter and medical care. The number is expected to rise dramatically as more people continue to flee the relentless bombings. Since June 19th, 157 people have been killed and at least 350 wounded, many of whom are women and children. Please click here to read the full press release. 

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Another UOSSM Staff Killed; Syrian Doctors Plead For Help In Daraa

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Yusuf Ayyash, a UOSSM warehouse worker was killed today at 7 p.m. Damascus time by an airstrike, along with his wife and daughter. This is the third UOSSM staff member to be killed in Daraa in less than a week. 

As the besiegement of Daraa escalates, four hospitals and one primary health care center were attacked and put out of service. Nearly 60,000 people have been displaced by the violence since June 19 and have nowhere to turn after Jordan closed its borders and the western suburbs went under siege. Please click here to read the full press release. **WARNING-GRAPHIC IMAGES IN PRESS RELEASE.

UOSSM Volunteer Ambulance Driver Killed in Targeted Attack in Daraa

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A UOSSM volunteer ambulance driver, Abdulhadi Al Hariri, was killed today at 1 p.m. Damascus time in a targeted “double tap” attack as first responders were headed to evacuate wounded victims of an attack in Busr Al Harir, Daraa. Al Hariri was already transporting one wounded victim as the ambulance was targeted by an airstrike, but not directly hit. The driver was already transporting one wounded victim as the ambulance was targeted by an airstrike, but not directly hit. Abdul hadi radioed in that he needed emergency help. First responders desperately searched for him for over four hours only to find him in the ambulance, killed by the second attack.. Al Hariri was volunteering with UOSSM and the Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets). Please click here to read the full press release. 


UOSSM Midwife Killed in Daraa

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An UOSSM midwife, Maysoun Harbat, and her daughter were killed on June 21 at 5:00 p.m. Damascus time as a result of heavy shelling in Al-Harak in the Daraa country side. Harbat's other daughter survived but has sustained serious injuries. The attacks coincide with a dramatic escalation of violence in Daraa over the past two days which has resulted in at least five civilian deaths, numerous injuries, and medical staff scrambling to deal with the influx of patients. Please click here to read the full press release. 


Airstrike In Residential Area Kills At Least 44 Including 6 Children

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On June 7 at 9:15 PM Damascus time, airstrikes bombarded the village of Zardana in rural Idlib killing at least 44 people including six children and one doctor, and injured over 80. Early reports indicate a “double tap” strategy was employed killing and injuring first responders. Many of the injured were internally displaced persons from Ghouta, and some of the injured were taken to UOSSM’s Bab Al Hawa Hospital.

Please click here to read the full press release. * Warning- the images on the bottom of the press release are graphic


Kafr Zeta Hospital in Hama Destroyed in Targeted Attack

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The Kafr Zeta Specialty Hospital was completely destroyed today in a targeted airstrike. The hospital, located in the suburbs of Hama, was attacked at 10 a.m. Damascus time by four airstrikes directly hitting the facility. One hospital staff was killed and three hospital staff were wounded. Please click here to read the full press release.
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UOSSM PHC and Two Other Hospitals Attacked by Airstrikes in Homs

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The UOSSM Al-Zaafaraneh PHC was targeted in Homs along with two major hospitals in the past two days. All three were put out of service leaving thousands without access to medical care. 
On Sunday at 10:25 a.m. Damascus time the UOSSM Al-Zaafaraneh PHC was targeted by an airstrike, which struck an area 30 feet away from the hospital. The center was lightly damaged and put out of service. The center provided services to approximately 6000 people a month. Please click here to read the full press release.
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Massive Chemical Weapon Attack Leaves 25+ Dead, 500+ Injured in Ghouta

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A massive chemical weapon attack was just reported in Douma, Eastern Ghouta today. Early reports indicate at least 25 people have been killed and over 500 civilians have been injured with the numbers expected to rise. Many of the victims were children. 
The attack coincides with numerous attacks on medical facilities in Douma today rendering the largest hospital out of service and a Red Crescent medical facility heavily damaged.  The damage inflicted was amplified by the large number of internally displaced people, forced to crowd tightly together in shelters. There are an estimated 170,000 people remaining in Douma served by a small number of doctors and medical staff. Please click here to read the full press release. 

UOSSM Assists 5000 Forcefully Displaced from Ghouta

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UOSSM responded to the forced displacement of the first two groups of people from Ghouta. On Thursday, 450 families, roughly 2000 people, were displaced from Harasta, Ghouta. The second group of over 3000 people were transported earlier this morning. The people were transported from Harasta to Qalaat Al Madeeq in the suburbs of Hama. UOSSM provided child protection services, primary health care services, and ambulances to transport severe cases to area hospitals. UOSSM was one of several organizations aiding in the process. 
Many of those that came, including numerous children, were in poor medical condition (intestinal infections, hepatitis, skin disease, trauma injuries), having received very little medical attention over the past five years. They were, hungry, thirsty, and mentally and physically exhausted from the fierce bombardment they were subject to for over a month, and the siege for over five years. Many have not had clean drinking water or a meal for days. Please click here to read the full press release. 
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At Least 500 Killed and 1000’s Wounded Since Resolution 2401 Passed

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The passing of Resolution 2401 has not stopped the violence in Ghouta as at least 500 were killed and thousands were wounded since the resolution passed on February 24, 2018. In addition, at least 26 medical facilities have been systematically targeted and put out of service leaving an already vulnerable population with very limited access to healthcare. There was also a suspected chemical attack on March 7, as victims’ clothing smelled like chlorine, and were suffering from wheezing, hypoxia, coughing, and no change in pupils; all consistent with symptoms of a chlorine gas attack. 
Today, at least 27 civilians were killed, including one paramedic. In addition, the Arbeen Hospital was attacked and put out of service as the violence continues in eastern Ghouta. Please click here to read the full press release.
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