Ten Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) volunteers began a two day operation on December 14 to provide children with polio vaccines.
“My feelings were indescribable when I entered the Deir Ezzor city with my colleagues,” says Ali Obeid, a volunteer from SARC’s Deir Ezzor branch. “We were so happy because the media was watching us and witnessing the reality of our work and how we are serving our people, our community, whatever the means. We are there. We are with people. But on the other hand, we are sad to see people in need of food and basic supplies.”
Even snow and cold did not prevent volunteers going to children around the country for the second phase of the polio campaign’s six phases. The volunteers used a boat to cross a distance of about 500 meters in order to reach children living in Deir Ezzor. They went from door to door to vaccinate children in their homes and opened a health centre in a hospital inside the city.
According to volunteers, children in this area have little access to education services and the medical situation is difficult because of a shortage of medical personnel and supplies. In another mission, the Deir Ezzor volunteers also reached children in the villages of Rural Deir Ezzor located on the international road between Palmyra and Deir Ezzor. They brought vaccines to 250 children in Kabajec, 250 children in al-Mansoura, 150 children in al-Madbaa, 80 children in Amhan and 650 children in al-Shoula.
In Al-Mayadeen, which is located on the right bank of the Euphrates River and about 45 kilometers far away from Deir Ezzor city, the SARC volunteers of al-Mayadeen sub-branch also took part in the polio campaign. They managed to provide vaccines to children inside the shelters who have not been fully immunized.
According to SARC Deir Ezzor branch, the total number of children reached during the first phase of the polio campaign was 3,700, and during the second phase the campaign reached 260,000 children.The third phase of the campaign will start on January 5, 2014.
In Aleppo, SARC has also been involved in the polio campaign through the children’s hospital. In Rural Damascus, SARC volunteers continue this mission with determination to reach children around the city.
A recent report showed multiple cases of acute flaccid paralysis in Syria, meaning it is currently the major public health concern in the region; 17 cases of wild poliovirus type 1 have been confirmed in three governorates.
Canadians wishing to support the enormous humanitarian relief and recovery efforts in Syria and surrounding countries are encouraged to make a financial donation online, at their local Red Cross office or by calling 1-800-418-1111. Please earmark donations “Syria Crisis Fund”.