During the month of March, UOSSM trained medical professionals on how to treat patients who have succumbed to casualties caused by explosions. The program, dubbed Emergency Management of the Wounded in Times of War, is especially important due to the increasingly dangerous conditions in the region. 

UOSSM is supporting a program at its Maaret Alnoumaan Centre that is training teachers on utilizing different tools and techniques to assist and empower kids with special needs. The program is focusing on objectives such as cognitive training to advance kids’ self-esteem when it comes to their body image; independence training, which helps kids identify essentials of daily living, like kitchen utensils; as well as teaching kids how to differentiate between colors.

At only 10 years of age, Ahmad has already lived through obstacles and danger that very few people live in their lifetime. Despite losing his elder brother five months ago to an airstrike, and despite  living in the torn city of Allepo under constant missile fire, Ahmad’s smile has never left his face. His words have always been optimistic and the strength he possesses is unrivalled – even after falling victim to an explosion that lodged a sharpnell across his back. When Ahmad’s brother, Ismail, passed, Ahmad left school to help support his family and began working at a printing house. The morning of Feb. 27 – three months after starting his job— Ahmad noticed the sound of warplanes was unusually loud, he quickly hid under a table, and moments later he heard a large explosion coming from across the street. He recalls shrapnel and fragments were flying all over, and ultimately a piece of shrapnel lodged itself in Ahmad’s lower back. Paramedics quickly transferred the10 year-old to Bab al Hawa hospital’s pediatric unit, where he received proper care and has had several successful surgeries to treat his injury.  Ahmad is on the road to recovery and although there is still a long way to go, he remains optimistic and hopeful and his smile continues to light up the rooms of Bab al Hawa hospital.

In collaboration with REO & International Humanitarian Relief, UOSSM's Adan training center hosted a series of workshops focusing on improvisational psychological interventions to treat affected families in Lebanon. The course featured training involving improv theatre as a means of expression.

As the war in Syria approaches its 6th year, many civilians continue to loose their lives due to airstrikes and barrels. However, a significant number of civilians die due to lack of medical service. One vital part of the medical services is the establishment of medical intensive care units since most of type of injures are severe trauma ones (multiple organs injury, severe chest and traumatic brain injuries).  Continue reading

On January 2016, UOSSM launched its first medical training institute in southern Syria's Sayda, Daraa. The aim is to increase the number of medical professionals and the level of health services available in the area. UOSSM identified an urgent need for this as large numbers of medical professionals continue to flee from the area due to continued attacks. This critical program, supported by UOSSM-France, will run for 12 months with an annual budget of $110,400. The program aims to train 105 students by the end of 2016 which will result in significantly increased levels of medical services available to civilians in the area.