Toronto, Canada- The intense military campaign in North Western Syria has displaced over 900,000 people since December, including an estimated 500,000 children. Freezing weather and a lack of adequate shelter have killed seven children, including one 7 month old child.  From February 1 to the 16th, at least 35 children have been killed by airstrikes and ground based attacks in North Western Syria.    Continue reading

Toronto, Canada- At approximately 11:55 am Damascus time on February 17, two hospitals were hit by airstrikes in Darat Izza, Aleppo.  The Al Kinana Hospital in Darat Izza was hit by airstrikes and sustained significant damage. The Al Fardous Maternity & Children’s Hospital in Darat Izza was also hit by an airstrike and sustained significant damage. Two staff were injured and no fatalities reported. Al Fardous Hospital supported a population of more than 300,000 people.  The two hospitals were the last operational hospitals in Western Aleppo. Since April 2019, there have been at least 78 attacks on medical facilities in Syria.  Continue reading

Three medical staff were killed in a targeted attack on an ambulance yesterday. On February 6, 2020 at 8 pm Damascus time, an ambulance with three medical staff was directly attacked as it was headed to provide emergency services to victims of airstrikes in Idlib City. Abdul Rahman Hilal, a UOSSM driver was among those killed. At least three other civilians were killed in the attack and six were wounded. Continue reading

Four medical facilities were attacked within 24 hours in Idlib, Syria further crippling a devastated health care system in Idlib. Today, at 5:40 pm Damascus time Al Hikma Hospital in Taftanaz Idlib was targeted by a barrel bomb 50 meters from the hospital causing damage and putting the hospital out of service. No casualties were reported. The hospital, supported by UOSSM, was operating on an emergency only basis and provided services to over 4800 patients in January.  Continue reading

On January 29, 2020 at 22:40 Damascus time, multiple airstrikes hit Al Shami Surgical Hospital in Ariha, Idlib injuring four nurses, the director of the facility and an administrator (in critical condition).  At least six people were killed as they waited outside the hospital.The hospital was heavily damaged and put out of service. Since April 2019, there have been at least 74 attacks on medical facilities.  In the past 48 hours, over 80,000 civilians have been displaced from Ariha and Saraqeb, fleeing heavy airstrikes on civilian areas.  Since January 1, at least 138 civilians have been killed.   Continue reading

Paris, January 10, 2020 - UOSSM was received on January 8, 2019 at the Élysée Palace by Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, along with 15 other humanitarian organizations operating in Syria.  Continue reading

A week of relentless airstrikes, barrel bomb attacks and artillery strikes have devastated Maarat Al Nouman and the South Eastern Idlib countryside in Syria. At least 38 civilians have been killed this week including eight women and seven children.  Hundreds more have been wounded and the casualty count is expected to rise significantly.  In the past week, at least 60,000 civilians were internally displaced and face harsh conditions during the start of winter.  Medical facilities, already crippled by a year of attacks, are struggling to deal with the influx of wounded. At least 68 medical facilities have been attacked since April 2019. Continue reading

A second hospital was attacked in Idlib, Syria yesterday. Al Rawda Hospital in Kafranbel, Idlib was bombed in a targeted attack on November 26, at approximately 7:39 p.m. Damascus time. The hospital was damaged and put out of service. No casualties were reported since the hospital was evacuated earlier.  Continue reading