Maha Younes actively engages in raising awareness by distributing educational flyers on breast cancer16 February 2025 –Amid Syria’s enduring crisis, waterborne diseases have remained a major concern, especially for the most vulnerable communities. In response, WHO, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, conducted risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) workshops in Deir-ez-Zor and Lattakia governorates in late 2024, with a focus on raising awareness and providing lifesaving support.

The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allows the United Nations and its agencies to act quickly when humanitarian needs arise, enabling humanitarian responders to deliver lifesaving assistance whenever and wherever crises strike.

Thanks to funding from CERF, WHO trained 200 community health workers from NGOs and health directorates. These dedicated frontline workers gained essential skills to connect with at risk populations and deliver critical education on preventing waterborne diseases such as cholera.

Maha Younes, a 27-year-old health educator with Ayadina Association in Lattakia, was one of the trainees.

“The training was invaluable,” she said. “It gave me the tools and confidence to speak out about waterborne diseases in my community. Now I can clearly explain the importance of safe water and hygiene practices to the families who need it most.”

At Ayadina Association, Maha and her colleagues have turned waiting times at health facilities into valuable moments for education, focusing especially on women and children.

“Prevention is always our first line of defence,” she explained. “Thanks to WHO’s training, I now have the knowledge, confidence and capacity to share accurate health information, empowering people to protect themselves, their families and loved ones."

WHO supported interactive sessions provided community health workers with the ability to lead change in their communities, communicating crucial prevention strategies such as proper sanitation, safe water use and effective hygiene measures. These efforts not only strengthen community resilience but bolster the health care system’s capacity to respond to disease outbreaks.

Maha’s contribution to her community was made possible by resources that were part of a larger CERF-funded multisectoral emergency response project to support critical health interventions across Syria. The project focuses on reducing morbidity and mortality by restoring access to health care, strengthening emergency referral systems and addressing severe malnutrition.

Through these initiatives, WHO is creating long-term change by building local expertise to ensure vulnerable populations have access to lifesaving interventions. As Syria continues to manage multiple challenges these crucial efforts help safeguard public health and prevent future outbreaks.

Ebrahim and his brother Yousef can play again, and no one makes fun of their face.2 February 2025 – Ebrahim, a lively 5-year-old boy from the Salah Aldeen neighbourhood in Aleppo governorate, Syria, had always been full of energy and smiles. But when a painful bump appeared on his nose due to a leishmaniasis infection, everything changed. His red, swollen nose began to draw unwanted attention and teasing from other children. Embarrassed and ashamed, Ebrahim avoided playing with his friends and often missed nursery school.

Ebrahim’s father, Mohammad, a photographer, initially didn’t realize the severity of the issue. “I work late nights and sleep during the day, so I didn’t understand how much this was affecting Ebrahim until my wife told me that he had stopped going out to play because he was ashamed of his nose,” Mohammad admitted.

Determined to help his son, Mohammad took Ebrahim to the Salah Aldeen health centre, which housed a leishmaniasis treatment clinic supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). There, Ebrahim began a 4-month free treatment programme in March 2024. As the bump on his nose faded, his confidence returned. Soon, he was smiling again, back in kindergarten and playing with his friends.

When Ebrahim’s younger brother, Yousef, also contracted leishmaniasis, Mohammad and his wife acted immediately. “This time, we knew what to do. We took Yousef to the same clinic right away, and within 2 months he had completed his treatment,” Mohammad shared. “We learned how important it is to act quickly and not ignore health issues.”

Each year, Syria typically records 68 000 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis, the most common form of the disease. It is caused by a protozoan parasite transmitted through bites from infected sandflies. Without treatment, the disease can cause severe skin lesions that can scar and lead to social stigma.

Since 2015, WHO has partnered with national health authorities in Syria to provide free treatment, annually supplying 200 000 ampoules of the medicine meglumine antimoniate, and protecting families through targeted interventions to control the spread of leishmaniasis. These include indoor residual spraying of 73 000 households in Aleppo, Hama and Idlib governorates.

Today, Ebrahim is thriving. “I can play again, and no one makes fun of my face anymore,” he said proudly.

Reflecting on the experience, Mohammad shared, “This taught me how essential good health care is, especially for our children. I hope more families can access the support they need.”

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is celebrated every year on 30 January. This year, the theme of the Day is “Unite. Act. Eliminate." Leishmaniasis is one of many neglected tropical diseases that continue to affect vulnerable populations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Central and South America and southern Europe. Efforts like those at the Salah Aldeen leishmaniasis treatment centre are testament to the importance of uniting communities and acting decisively to eliminate the burden of these diseases.

Ebrahim’s story showcases the resilience of families and underscores the lifesaving impact of accessible health care, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Dr Dato Chorgoliani, Tuberculosis Specialist, leads the training alongside Dr Mohammed Zeidan in Idlib. Photo: WHO/Mrinalini SanthanamSunday, 26 January 2025 – At Kafr Arouk Health Centre in northern Aleppo, a 6-year-old boy arrived severely malnourished and struggling to breathe – his condition worsened by months of delayed care. Paediatrician Dr Bayan Mohammed Hamidi remembers the case vividly.

Dr Hamidi is one of 150 health care professionals trained by WHO, with support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, to strengthen tuberculosis detection, treatment and community awareness across Aleppo and Idlib in northwest Syria. Held just days before the 8 December 2024 political shift, the training’s significance has grown as these regions transition into a new phase of governance within Syria.

“The training has shown me how important it is to recognize tuberculosis symptoms early and act quickly,” Dr Hamidi says. “Now I can guide families and ensure patients get the care they need without delay.” 

In many parts of northwest Syria, stigma and misinformation often prevent people from seeking care. The training emphasized the importance of effective communication.

“We learned how to talk to families in a way that builds trust and encourages them to seek care early,” Dr Hamidi adds. “This is especially important where reliable health information is limited.”

Women doctors actively listen and participate in the tuberculosis training session in Idlib. Photo: WHO/Mrinalini SanthanamPrimary health care centres were a critical focus of the training, as they are often the first point of contact for families in underserved areas.

“Many families cannot afford the cost or time to travel long distances to specialized hospitals,” says Dr Jihad Al-Wahoub, a paediatric resident at Haritan Hospital for Women and Children in northern Idlib, who also participated in the training. “By raising awareness within primary health care centres, we can bridge the gap and identify tuberculosis cases earlier.”

The training covered topics, including diagnosing tuberculosis, managing extra-pulmonary cases and applying infection control measures such as administrative protocols and personal protection. Participants also learned how to strengthen connections between health care centres and tuberculosis centres to ensure timely referrals.

Since the start of WHO’s tuberculosis project in July 2019, over 2500 patients have been diagnosed in northwest Syria, including 47 with drug-resistant tuberculosis. In 2024, more than 460 patients were diagnosed.

Globally, without treatment, tuberculosis has a death rate close to 50%. However, WHO-recommended treatment regimens can cure 85% of cases.

Participants engage in case studies, role-playing and group discussions designed to encourage active participation and critical thinking. Photo: WHO/Mrinalini Santhanam“These treatments are lifesaving for patients who often come to us in advanced stages of the disease,” says Dr Hassan Ibrahim, who coordinates the tuberculosis centres in Azaz and Al-Bab. “Our focus is on ensuring they receive care as soon as possible to prevent further spread.” 

Northwest Syria has long relied on just four tuberculosis centres supported by limited staff, with two coordinators – Dr Ibrahim overseeing those in Azaz and Al-Bab, and Dr Mohammed Zeidan managing the Afrin and Idlib centres. WHO continues to fund these centres, ensuring uninterrupted care for vulnerable communities.

“When we speak to health care workers after the training, it’s clear they are applying what they’ve learned – strengthening referral pathways, diagnosing cases earlier and educating families,” says Dr Zeidan. “Their commitment gives me hope for the future of Syria’s health care.”

WHO’s plans for 2025 include maintaining support for tuberculosis centres, sustaining diagnostic and treatment services and collaborating with the new Ministry of Health to strengthen Syria’s health care systems.

Walaa Mohammed, a resident of Al-Hol camp and outreach volunteer, speaks with her neighbours to address concerns and build trust in the cholera vaccination campaign. Photo: WHO. 19 January 2025 – In the vast and unforgiving terrain of north-east Syria, Al-Hol camp shelters nearly 40 000 displaced people – most of them women and children. Life in the camp is marked by overcrowding, inadequate shelter and poor sanitation. Disease outbreaks are a persistent threat and in late 2024, cholera emerged as the latest crisis.

Over 200 suspected cases were reported by December. Contaminated water and insufficient sanitation infrastructure were fuelling the outbreak, placing an already vulnerable population at further risk.

In response, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and local health authorities, launched a 10-day oral cholera vaccination campaign, to protect as many lives as possible and halt the spread of the disease.

Addressing misinformation

However, misinformation spread as quickly as the disease.

Some residents questioned the vaccine’s safety, while others doubted its necessity. Walaa Mohammed, a resident of the camp, understood the fear in her community but wouldn’t let it stop her.

“People were afraid, but I wanted them to understand the vaccine was their best chance to stay healthy,” Walaa explained.

Determined to make a difference, Walaa joined the campaign’s outreach team. She visited tents, patiently answering questions and countering rumours. Her efforts resonated, particularly with women, who began stepping forward to protect their families.

Building trust

A volunteer gives the cholera vaccine to a child at Al-Hol camp, helping protect the community from the outbreak. Photo: WHO.In Sector 4 of the camp, she met Ziad, a 30-year-old father of two. Like many others, Ziad was skeptical. “Why should I get vaccinated? I’m healthy and cholera doesn’t affect adults like me,” he told the team.

But after Walaa and the health workers explained how cholera spreads and its risks to everyone, Ziad changed his mind. Days later, he joined the outreach efforts himself, walking through the camp and encouraging his neighbours.

“I saw how quickly the team acted to help us,” Ziad said. “Now, I want to be part of that change.”

Reaching every corner of Al-Hol

From 28 December 2024 to 7 January 2025, over 25 000 people in Al-Hol camp received oral cholera vaccines. This effort relied on a team of 40 trained vaccinators, supported by 15 logistical staff and 11 vehicles, navigating challenging terrain and security constraints to ensure every dose was delivered.

The community outreach component was just as crucial.

Fifty health committee members worked tirelessly to inform residents about the vaccine. Tent-to-tent visits and group dialogues reached over 16 000 people directly, while thousands more were referred to vaccination points.

Vaccines were carefully transported under cold-chain protocols, ensuring they remained effective. Teams prioritized high-risk areas such as sectors 1, 2 and 5 of the camp, where the outbreak had hit hardest. Children between the ages of 5 and 15 received the most doses, accounting for nearly half of those vaccinated.

Delivering vaccines just in time

The vaccination campaign was a race against time.

The doses had been transported from existing stocks north-west Syria, thanks to swift coordination between WHO, UNICEF and local health authorities.

Despite the urgency, every dose was used – achieving 100% vaccine utilization.

This effort wasn’t just about stopping the spread of cholera. It demonstrated the impact of empowering local communities to take the lead in protecting their health.

As Walaa reflected on the campaign, her pride was evident. “We showed that even in the hardest conditions, we can protect each other.”