Midwife Maram Ali Al-Hassan checks the blood pressure of Hamida Ammar Raslan during a consultation at Sundi Health Centre. Photo credit: WHO25 September 2025, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic – At Sundi Health Centre in rural Aleppo, 36-year-old Hamida Ammar Raslan sits in the waiting area, clutching her referral slip. She has long struggled with gynaecological infections, but access to treatment was once out of reach.

“Before, I did not know where I could find help,” she recalls softly. “Now the clinic is close, the treatment is available, and the midwife explains everything clearly. I feel safe.”

Hamida was examined by midwife Maram Ali Al-Hassan and prescribed treatment the same day. For her, this simple service means restored health – and the ability to care for her children with peace of mind.

Keeping clinics operational 

Midwife Rawnak Abdoun advices Malak Al-Sharqat during a consultation at Al-Bab Health Centre. Photo credit: WHOAcross northern Aleppo, health centres like Sundi, Ihtimlat, and Al-Bab are lifelines for women and families. With support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), WHO has kept 50 health facilities operational since November 2024, ensuring access to primary, secondary, and specialised care.

In this time, around 565,000 people have benefitted from healthcare, over 935,000 consultations have been delivered, and 28,000 referrals made for emergency and advanced treatment. A remarkable 97% of patients report satisfaction with the quality of care.

At Ihtimlat Health Centre, 42-year-old Khadija Hamo shares a similar story. She sought help for persistent gynaecological problems. “I was embarrassed to speak about my illness,” she admits. “But midwife Asia Muslim made me feel respected. She gave me advice and medicine that worked.”

Strengthening women’s health

Dr Aziza Al-Naasan consults with Zubaida Abdulrahman Al-Matar at Al-Bab Health Centre. Photo credit: WHOGynaecology services are among the most in-demand in Aleppo’s communities, where years of conflict have disrupted routine healthcare for women. Keeping these services available is critical not only to health, but also to dignity.

“Many women come here with untreated infections or complications,” says midwife Wafaa Al-Doush at Al-Bab Health Centre. “We also support family planning, helping women make informed choices about their health. Without this clinic, they would have nowhere to go.”

For 28-year-old Halima Mohammad Al-Ahmad, family planning advice from Wafaa has been transformative. “I want to raise my children well, without fear of falling sick again,” she says.

Integrated care for the whole community

Midwife Rawnak Abdoun conducts an ultrasound examination at KSrelief supported Al-Bab Health Centre. Photo credit: WHOAt the same Al-Bab facility, gynaecology sits alongside general services, meaning families can seek care together. On a recent morning, 55-year-old Zubaida Abdulrahman Al-Matar arrived exhausted, with high blood sugar and fatigue.

“Dr Aziza Al-Naasan explained my condition and gave me treatment to manage it,” Zubaida explains. “Now I know how to take care of myself and my family.”

Midwife Rawnak Abdoun adds that women often come late, after months of discomfort. “When they leave with treatment and reassurance, you can see the relief on their faces,” she says. “That is why we continue, despite the challenges.”

Sustaining essential services

KSrelief’s contribution has been central to this continuity of care – from medicines and supplies to dialysis services, which remain a growing need in the region. For patients like Hamida, Khadija, Halima, Zubaida, and Malak, these services mean more than medicine – they represent hope, stability, and dignity after years of disruption.

A pharmacist hands medicines to a patient at a KSrelief-supported Ihtimlat Health Centre in northern Aleppo. Photo credit: WHO24 September 2025, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic – At Dabiq Health Centre, pharmacist Ali Al-Mustafa checks a prescription carefully before handing a mother her child’s medicine. A father of four himself, Ali understands the reassurance families feel when treatment is within reach.

Pharmacist Ali Al-Mustafa arranges medicines at Dabiq Health Centre. Photo credit: WHO“When I give medicine to a sick child, I think of my own children,” he says. “Families come here worried, but when they leave with what they need, I feel I have done something important for my community.”

Across Syria, just 57% of hospitals and 37% of primary health care centres remain fully functional. In northern Aleppo, the need for support is critical. With support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), WHO and health partners are sustaining more than 50 health facilities across the region. This assistance ensures hospitals, clinics and maternity centres can stay open, provide medicines and equipment, support staff salaries and strengthen referrals – keeping services running as the country moves towards recovery and rebuilding.

Pharmacist Abdulrahman Kanjo hands prescribed medicines to a patient at Ihtaimalat Health Center in Azaz. Photo credit: WHOSince November 2024, around 565,000 people in Aleppo have benefitted from health services across 50 facilities in Al-Bab, Azaz and Jarablus districts. In the same period, over 935,000 medical consultations were provided, covering primary, secondary and specialized care.

Pharmacists are a vital part of this effort. They are the final link in the chain of care: the ones who dispense medicines prescribed by doctors and midwives, explain how to take them safely, and offer reassurance to anxious families.

At Ihtaimalat Health Center, pharmacist Abdulrahman Kanjo notes how critical access is for his community.

“People trust us to give them the right medicines. Without this centre, many families would have nowhere else to go,” he says. “I remember one morning a young man came rushing in with his elderly father. The doctor prescribed medicine for his heart condition, and they were afraid it wouldn’t be available. When I handed it to them, I saw their relief immediately. These moments remind me why our work matters.”

Pharmacist Ghufran Hassan Al-Othman writes dosage instructions on a medicine box for patients at Al-Bab Health Centre. Photo credit: WHOIn Al-Bab, pharmacist Ghufran Hassan Al-Othman, who has worked at the local health centre for years, sees her role as deeply connected to her community.

“Parents come here tired and worried, especially when their children are sick,” she says. “I make sure to explain clearly how to take the medicines and reassure them that they are not alone. I want every child here to grow up healthy, and every parent to feel supported.”

> Others, like Mohammad Adnan Weis, have faced displacement yet continue to serve. Originally from Aleppo city, he lost both his home and the pharmacy he once ran during the conflict, but he never gave up his profession.

“Being a pharmacist allows me to give back to my community, even while rebuilding my own life,” he says. “I hope one day to see Syria’s health system strong again, where no family has to fear losing access to care.”

At Al-Sukkariyah Health Centre in the countryside of Al-Bab, pharmacist Mahmoud Sheikh Saleh, a father of seven, reflects on the shared struggles of the families he supports.

“With so many children depending on me at home, I understand what other parents feel when they come here. If medicine is available, hope is available,” he says.

“Every time we can give patients what they need, it eases their burden. For families who have lived through so much, even the certainty that services will continue tomorrow gives them strength to carry on.”

With KSrelief’s support to operate facilities, WHO and partners are ensuring that as Syria transitions to a unified national health system, services continue without interruption – keeping medicines within reach for families and supporting recovery, dignity and health for all.

Pharmacist Mohammad Adnan Weis hands prescribed medicines to a patient at Baroza Health Centre. Photo credit: WHO

Pharmacist Mahmoud Sheikh Saleh prepares medicines for patients at Al-Sukkariyah Health Centre in the countryside of Al-Bab, Aleppo. Photo credit: WHO

A staff member carries a box of dialysis medicines provided through KSrelief and WHO into a dialysis centre in Azaz. Photo credit: WHO23 September 2025, Afrin, Syrian Arab Republic – Three times a week, 60-year-old Ahmad* makes the long journey from Rajo to Bahar Dialysis Centre in Afrin. Without a car, he relies on relatives or neighbours to take him. For him and hundreds like him, the trip is not optional – it is survival.

“There are no dialysis centres in Rajo,” Ahmad explains. “I must come here, even if I cannot afford the transportation costs. If this centre were not here, I do not know how I would survive. To travel further or to buy treatment outside – it is unaffordable.”

The centre provides life-saving dialysis sessions, but shortages still weigh heavily on patients. “Sometimes I have to buy serum or syringes myself,” Ahmad says. “If I don’t, I can’t complete the session. We end up using money meant for bread to pay for supplies. A single dialysis session on the private market can cost the same as a month’s income for some families – far beyond our reach.”

Support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), delivered through WHO, has eased this burden – ensuring that the most critical materials reach centres like Bahar so dialysis sessions can continue.

At Al-Ameen Dialysis Centre in Afrin, KSrelief- and WHO-supported supplies are checked before use. Photo credit: WHO Ahmad is grateful not only for this support but also for the dedication of the staff. “The nurses and doctors are excellent, they treat us with respect and care,” he says. “But without regular supplies, even the best nurse cannot help. What we need is to make sure the medicines and equipment always reach us.”

Like millions of Syrians displaced from their homes, Ahmad relies on overstretched health services that struggle to keep pace with demand. Across the country, more than half of health facilities remain non-functional, leaving patients with few options close to home. An estimated 15.8 million people require health assistance, and 7.4 million remain displaced, many in protracted situations.

At the same hospital, 32-year-old Mohammad Mustafa faces similar challenges. He travels from Badaleh to Bahar Hospital in Afrin three times a week – a 20-kilometre journey without public transport. “We have to come in our own car,” he explains.

Like Ahmad, Mohammad praises the staff for their compassion and professionalism. “The doctors are very kind and the care is excellent,” he says. But he notes that shortages remain a concern. For a period, even the basic solutions needed for dialysis were unavailable, forcing patients to buy them privately. “Thankfully, now those costs are no longer on us,” Mohammad adds, “and we can focus on treatment rather than worrying about how to afford it.”

Dialysis materials supported by KSrelief and WHO are delivered to Bahar Hospital in Afrin for safe storage. Photo credit: WHO

With the support of KSrelief, WHO is supplying dialysis materials to health facilities across Aleppo and Idlib. By the end of June, 30,000 dialysis treatment courses had already been distributed, with another 5,000 on the way. This has kept machines running and allowed thousands of patients to continue treatment despite conflict, economic collapse and soaring costs of care.

In a country where 3 out of 4 people rely on humanitarian aid, ensuring continuity of services like dialysis is essential. WHO is working with partners to sustain life-saving care during the conflict while also laying the foundation for recovery and reform. Health is one of the few sectors that can help stabilize communities, support returns and strengthen the prospects for peace.

Looking ahead, Mohammad adds, “We know Syria is starting to recover, and that gives us hope. But recovery will take time. For people like us, treatment must not be interrupted. Dialysis is what keeps us alive, and we wish that in the future every patient across the country can find care without fear of it being cut off.”

*Name changed at patient’s request.

22 September 2025, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic – WHO welcomes a new donation from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) to support lifesaving health services in Idleb, Aleppo, Homs and Hama. The new contribution of US$ 4.5 million comes as the health system faces shortages in resources due to a series of emergencies, including the devastating 2023 earthquake, the strongest in a century, and the ongoing effects of protracted conflict.

With this generous support, WHO, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, will sustain primary health care services in 70 facilities across 4 governorates, ensuring access to essential primary and specialized health care services for displaced and host communities, and provide support for staff salaries and operational costs. These centres serve as lifelines for approximately 6.6 million people in areas where public services are limited or non-existent.

<“KSrelief has been a long-standing partner with WHO in our work to save the lives of the Syrian people. We are grateful for this generous contribution that has come as a major step towards reviving the availability of health care services to all people in need, supporting WHO’s commitment to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people,” said Acting WHO Representative in Syria Christina Bethke.

Part of the fund will be used to ensure the continuity of lifesaving dialysis treatment for patients. WHO will supply dialysis kits and consumables to 10 priority centres, safeguarding treatment for 1,437 patients whose lives depend on uninterrupted care. Facilities will also receive essential medicines, medical supplies and strengthened referral pathways to improve access and continuity of care, alongside support for core public health functions like health information management.

"The new funding from KSrelief will help WHO ensure that health care services to vulnerable Syrians continue uninterrupted, reducing preventable morbidity and mortality while supporting the resilience of Syria’s health system to meet health needs now and in the future," said Dr. Abdullah Al Moallem, KSrelief's Director of the Health and Environmental Aid Department.

For media inquiries, please contact:

For WHO:  Halah Kabash, Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.; Mrinalini Santhanam Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.

For KSrelief: Fanar Alshehri, International Communication Specialist, Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.

About KSrelief:

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), established under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, represents Saudi Arabia's commitment to global humanitarian efforts. Inaugurated in May 2015, KSrelief has provided impartial humanitarian aid and relief to over 100 countries in cooperation with local, regional, and international organizations.

22 September 2025, Idlib, Syrian Arab Republic – At Ibn Sina Dialysis Centre in Idlib, 65-year-old Hassan Al-Sattoof settles into his chair for yet another dialysis session. The routine has defined his weeks for 2 years, but for him, it is not routine at all.

Medical supplies supported by KSrelief are delivered to Al-Ameen Dialysis Centre to keep treatments running. Photo credit: WHO“My kidneys are failing, so this is my lifeline,” Hassan says. “Each week I come 3 times, and I sit here for hours. If dialysis stops, my life stops. We are about 200 patients in this centre, and all of us are the same – we wait, we hope, and we pray that the supplies continue. Without them, some would be forced to travel far for treatment, and others could see their health deteriorate rapidly.”

In Qah, 55-year-old Abdulrazzaq Al-Shahhad has been receiving dialysis at Al-Hadiya Hospital for 5 years. Displaced from his home in eastern Maarat, he knows exactly what it would mean if the support ended.

“Each dialysis session costs about US$ 50 if you have to buy the materials yourself,” he explains. “I need 3 sessions a week. That’s more than US$ 600 a month – impossible for me or anyone here to afford. Before, I sometimes had to borrow money to buy the filters, and I would choose between provisions and treatment. Now, the hospital provides everything I need without cost at the point of care. If this help stops, we lose everything – not just our health, but our dignity.” 

A patient receives dialysis at a centre in Afrin, with KSrelief-supported supplies ensuring continuity of care. Photo credit: WHOBy the end of June, WHO procured and distributed 30,000 dialysis treatment courses to centres across Idlib and Aleppo. This covers the needs of 1,476 patients – almost 20% more than initially projected, as demand continues to rise. The project has allowed more patients to reach treatment, ensured dialysis machines keep running and helped clinics continue their work without interruption despite economic hardships.

Ibrahim Al-Dhanab, who also lives in Idlib, comes twice a week for his treatment. The long hours connected to the machine leave him exhausted, but he insists he cannot miss a session.

“After dialysis I feel weak, sometimes I can hardly walk home,” Ibrahim says. “But missing even one session could be the end for me. What gives me strength is knowing I can keep going for my children. If the centre stopped working, families like mine would have no chance. We hold on because of this support.”

“I see that Syria is starting to change, and that gives me hope,” Ibrahim adds. “But for people like me, treatment must not stop during this time. Dialysis keeps us alive. I wish that patients in every part of the country could find the same care that I receive here – because no one should lose their life just because they cannot reach a hospital.”

This continuity of care is made possible through the generous support of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief). Working with WHO, KSrelief’s contribution has been vital in ensuring that dialysis patients across Idlib and northern Aleppo receive lifesaving treatment free of charge.

Syria is at a critical juncture, moving from 14 years of conflict towards early recovery and stabilization. WHO is combining life-saving humanitarian action with longer-term recovery efforts, making health a stabilizing force that can support returns and peacebuilding. For Hassan, Abdulrazzaq, Ibrahim and more than 1,400 others, dialysis is more than a treatment – it is survival, and the hope of another tomorrow.

Dr Jaber Al-Omar examines a young patient at Ma’arrat An Nu’man public health centre which now records more than 1,200 paediatric visits each month. Photo credit: WHO18 September 2025, Idlib, Syrian Arab Republic – After years of disruption, the Ma’arrat An Nu’man Primary Health Centre has been steadily rebuilding itself as a central point of care for thousands of families returning to their city. For people who endured years of conflict and displacement, the Centre is more than a building – it is a sign of stability.

Among the health workers anchoring this recovery is Dr Jaber Al-Omar, a paediatrician who now treats more than 1200 children each month. “Many of the children I see are malnourished or suffer from recurring infections,” he explained. “But what families need most is reassurance – to know that care is available close to home.” His calm presence has earned the trust of parents, who say his work gives them both hope and confidence.

At the pharmacy, Saddam Al-Abbas manages the supply of essential medicines with meticulous care. In one recent emergency, when a child arrived struggling to breathe, Saddam drew from a reserve stock he had set aside for such moments, ensuring the boy received immediate treatment. “In these conditions, medicine is not just about healing,” he said. “It is about survival – making sure no one is left without what they need at the right time.”

Meeting overwhelming demand

Pharmacist Saddam Al-Abbas prepares essential medicines for patients, ensuring continuity of treatment even during emergencies. Photo credit: WHOSince reopening in May 2025, the centre has been overwhelmed by demand. In its first week alone, more than 1800 consultations were carried out. The emergency unit managed over 600 urgent cases, while the midwifery team supported more than 300 women.

“Sometimes I feel the number of patients will never end,” said Ahlam, a midwife at the centre. “But I remind myself that every mother we care for safely, every child we vaccinate, is part of rebuilding this community.”

Supported with trained staff and a stocked pharmacy, the health centre has exceeded projections while maintaining safe consultation loads in line with international standards. A 10-bed emergency unit functions around the clock to stabilize trauma and obstetric emergencies, while referral protocols and two dedicated ambulances ensure that critical patients reach hospitals in Idlib within two hours.

Caring for the whole person

A paediatrician at the centre provides urgent care to an infant with respiratory distress. Photo credit: WHOAlongside physical health services, the centre now offers dedicated mental health and psychosocial support. Trained counsellors provide safe spaces for people to talk about their struggles – from children showing signs of trauma to parents overwhelmed by the challenges of displacement and return.

“People used to say mental health did not matter when you are trying to survive,” said one counsellor. “But now patients come to us and say: ‘I cannot sleep, I cannot stop worrying.’ They realize their minds need care too, not just their bodies.” 

Strengthening systems for the future

The centre is also playing a role in protecting public health. By reporting weekly data through WHO’s Early Warning Alert and Response System (EWARS), it helps detect and respond to threats such as measles or cholera before they spread. This vigilance is vital in a region where outbreaks can quickly overwhelm fragile health systems.

Crucially, the centre has reduced reliance on mobile units by restoring a permanent, facility-based model, ensuring reliable access to care.

Partnerships driving recovery

A health worker administers an oral vaccine to a young child at Ma’arrat An Nu’man PHC, which also has a dedicated EPI section. Photo credit: WHOThe rehabilitation of the Ma’arrat An Nu’man Primary Health Centre was made possible through support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, working with WHO, the Ministry of Health and the District Health Directorate. Together they restored the physical infrastructure and anchored service delivery within national systems.

Operational costs are covered by the European Union (EU), through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), enabling WHO and Al Ameen to keep the centre fully functional. The center provides essential health care services, including outpatient consultations, normal and emergency obstetric, and ambulance services. Al Ameen, a WHO health partner, manages day-to-day operations, ensuring that care reaches families consistently and safely.

A sign of recovery

Outside view of the centre, where families gather daily to access emergency, maternal, and child health services in a city where most infrastructure remains damaged. Photo credit: WHOFor families returning to Ma’arrat An Nu’man – a city where 90% of infrastructure remains damaged and no secondary care exists within 45 km – the centre’s revival has brought back a sense of stability.

“Every consultation here is a message to the community that they are not forgotten,” Dr Jaber reflected. “We are rebuilding trust, one patient at a time.”

Ali carries his 8-year-old son Abdelkarim through the crowded corridor of Menbij National Hospital after the boy received urgent care for a fracture. Photo credit: WHO

17 September 2025, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic – When 8-year-old Abdelkarim Naasan fell while playing in his neighbourhood in Menbij, the pain in his leg left him unable to walk. His father carried him to Menbij National Hospital, the only hospital in the district. There, doctors quickly diagnosed a fracture and treated him with a cast. “The care was immediate and reassuring,” his father recalled. “We left the hospital confident that he would heal.”

For thousands of families in Menbij, a city in the north east of Aleppo Governorate, this hospital is the only place to turn for both emergencies and routine care. From trauma surgery to laboratory tests and blood transfusions, it provides essential services in an area where health care access is scarce.

Dr Maqsoud Shankan, head of the laboratory at Menbij National Hospital examines test samples to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment for patients. Photo credit: WHOWith funding from the European Union, through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), WHO and its partner Al-Ameen are ensuring that Menbij National Hospital remains open and equipped to serve people in need. The hospital provides medical consultations, emergency obstetric and dialysis services, as well as trauma and intensive care. In addition, WHO enhanced the hospital’s trauma capacity through the provision of mass casualty training for its staff.

In recent months, more than 23000 people – including displaced families and host communities – received care through these facilities. The increase in patient visits reflects growing trust in the health system. Specialist services, including paediatrics and internal medicine, are seeing especially high demand.

Health workers emphasize how vital this support has been. Dr Maqsoud Shankan, head of the hospital’s laboratory, explained, “Every accurate test helps doctors give the right treatment. Without these services, patients would have to travel long distances or go without care.”

Laboratory technician Abdel Salam Khalaf collects blood from a donor at Menbij National Hospital. Photo credit: WHOAt the blood bank, 28-year-old technician Abdel Salam Khalaf manages donations and urgent transfusions. “In an emergency, we cannot afford delays. Having the right equipment and supplies here in Menbij makes the difference between life and death.”

To ensure the safety of patients and health workers, the hospital has also improved infection prevention and control. This includes practical measures such as providing staff with protective equipment, ensuring proper waste disposal, and setting up strict hand hygiene and sterilization routines. These steps reduce the risk of infections spreading within the hospital and give families greater confidence that they can seek care safely.

Abdelhadi Mousa receives post-operative care at Menbij National Hospital after undergoing gallbladder surgery. Photo credit: WHOFor patients like 22-year-old Abdelhadi Mousa, who underwent gallbladder surgery at Menbij National Hospital, this investment is life-changing. “I lived with pain for so long,” he said. “Now, after the operation, I can begin again.”

In a district where health facilities are few and challenges remain high, Menbij National Hospital stands as a lifeline. Continued support from the European Union ensures that these services remain available, sustaining care today while laying the foundation for stronger, safer health systems in the future.

17 September 2025, Syrian Arab Republic – Born in the sixth month of pregnancy, in a region where access to neonatal care is limited, and weighing just 900 grams, Lena’s* survival was far from certain.  But thanks to the medical and home care guidance provided by volunteers trained through a programme supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Syrian Ministry of Health – and the tireless commitment of her parents – Lena began to thrive.

That Lena is now a healthy 2-year-old testifies to the strength of her family and the lifesaving impact of home-based care. Supported by volunteer community health workers, who provided advice and close follow-up, her parents followed best practices: frequent breastfeeding, skin-to-skin warming, and avoiding supplements and formula. It was a collective effort, rooted in community-based care.

Lena’s family is one of many that have benefitted from the caring for newborns and mothers at home programme. Linked to the healthy village programme, the initiative involves volunteer health workers providing essential care to pregnant women and newborns.

As part of the programme, community health workers conduct home visits during the antenatal period and the first weeks after birth. They support families in adopting best practices for maternal and newborn care at home, while encouraging care seeking from specialist health professionals when needed.

Launched in 2017, the programme reaches around 20 000 families annually in underserved rural areas, in coordination with the Ministry of Health. The programme's success is largely due to the dedication of its volunteers who receive 5 days of basic health care training.

In 2024, 19 180 home visits were made, with 58 newborns and 69 mothers referred to specialized care. The programme is currently implemented in 11 governorates, where a total of 885 volunteers cover 216 healthy villages.

Despite the successes, the programme covers just 5% of Syria’s prenatal, delivery and newborn care needs. Funding remains a significant hurdle to the programme’s sustainability and expansion. Resources are limited and access to some hard-to-reach areas across the country continues to be a challenge. 

The future

The goal is to build on the programme’s successes and expand its reach. With a renewed focus on quality and training, the programme aims to engage volunteers with higher education – currently volunteers are mostly from preparatory and high school backgrounds – and enhance capacity-building opportunities, including a shift to computerized data collection.

As the caring for newborns and mothers at home programme moves forward, it is poised to make an even greater impact. It will continue to empower communities and save lives as Syria works to rebuild its health system and secure a healthy future for all its mothers and children.

* Name changed.

Majd Qolghasi, Warehouse Officer with Hand in Hand for Aid and Development, checks EU-funded medical supplies at the WHO-managed warehouse in Sarmada, Idlib. Photo credit: WHO16 September 2025, Idlib, Syrian Arab Republic – In a warehouse in Sarmada, boxes of medicines and surgical kits are stacked neatly on pallets, ready to be dispatched to health facilities across Syria. For Majd Qolghasi, Warehouse Officer with Hand in Hand for Aid and Development, the health partner managing WHO’s warehouse in Idlib, each shipment represents more than supplies – it is a lifeline for patients.

Warehouse staff organize EU-funded medical supplies at WHO’s warehouse in Sarmada, Idlib, before dispatch to health facilities. Photo credit: WHO “This shipment comes in response to the growing needs of the health sector,” says Majd. “It will significantly support hospitals and health centres by strengthening their capacity to provide medical services to patients – especially under the difficult circumstances the sector is facing, with limited resources and funding.”

The most recent consignment, delivered with support from the European Union (EU) through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), included essential medicines, medical consumables and surgical supplies. Distribution is carried out through a carefully planned system in coordination with the local Health Directorate under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, ensuring that health partners operating in Idlib and Aleppo can serve the people most in need.

Air bridge to Syria’s health facilities

This is not the first time EU support has sustained Syria’s fragile supply chain. In December 2024, more than 50 tonnes of EU-funded medicines and supplies were flown to Türkiye through the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge and transported by WHO to overstretched health facilities in Idlib and Aleppo. The delivery arrived at a pivotal moment as the country entered a transitional phase, helping facilities restock amid persistent needs.

Meeting emergencies head-on

From routine care to crisis response, timely supplies are vital to keep Syria’s health system functioning.

“These shipments help ensure the continuity of life-saving services for both chronic conditions and emergencies,” Majd explains. “Hospitals, health centres and mobile medical units are better supported, easing the pressure on facilities and enabling medical teams to provide immediate and continuous care.”

EU-funded medical supplies are loaded for delivery from WHO’s warehouse in Idlib to hospitals and clinics. Photo credit: WHO Following the recent blasts in Idlib in July this year, WHO responded within 24 hours in coordination with the Health Directorate and partners – delivering 24 trauma kits to support emergency medical care. Each kit includes essential drugs, anaesthesia supplies, transfusion materials, dressing sets and surgical tools – enough to support more than 200 surgical procedures.

Majd recalls the impact clearly: “We had the trauma kits ready in the warehouse. When the blasts happened, the needs were identified by health authorities and partners, and we were able to send them immediately. That speed saved lives.”

This was also evident during the devastating wildfires in Lattakia earlier this summer. WHO delivered eight Trauma and Emergency Surgery Kits for burn care from its Idlib warehouse. Four kits were provided to Lattakia’s National and University Hospitals to treat people with severe burns, while another four were pre-positioned as contingency stock for future needs. Each kit contained supplies to manage 50 burn cases – helping health workers save lives when every minute counts.

Strengthening emergency response and continuity of care

Since 2011, Syria’s health system has been tested by conflict, economic crisis and multiple emergencies. EU support has been a cornerstone in strengthening resilience.

Health partner staff prepare EU-funded medical consignments at WHO’s warehouse in Sarmada ensuring medicines and supplies reach facilities on time. Photo credit: WHO Since last year, the European Union (EU), through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) has provided around €10.4 million to WHO across Syria, supporting ambulances, referral systems, essential medicines, primary health care, trauma services and more. Of this, over €4.1 million has gone towards medical procurement, ensuring essential medicines and supplies reached over 1 million people in need.

A new EU commitment of €22 million will sustain life-saving and life-sustaining health services for more than 6.5 million people into next year – keeping hospitals, clinics, referral pathways and medical supply chains running as the country begins its transition to recovery and rebuilding, while still maintaining critical humanitarian services.

“For us, every box in this warehouse means hope,” says Majd. “Thanks to the EU’s support, we can move quickly when emergencies happen and keep services running for the people who depend on them. That is what makes the difference.”

Tarek Al-Sheikh helps load a patient into the ambulance for urgent referral to hospital in northern Aleppo. Photo credit: WHO15 September 2025, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic – “I leave home early every morning to start my shift in the ambulance. Some days I wait for hours until a call arrives. Other days I respond immediately to emergencies – a child struggling to breathe, a mother in labour, or a patient who needs to be transferred urgently to another hospital,” says Tarek Al-Sheikh, a paramedic with the Syrian Relief and Development (SRD) team at Afrin National Hospital in Aleppo, northern Syria.

Tarek has been serving his community for more than 4 years. For him, this work is more than a job – it is a lifeline for families who otherwise would not be able to reach the care they need.

“The importance of this work is that it is purely humanitarian. Our people in the north need these services, which reach many people who otherwise would not be able to access care,” Tarek says. 

Referral systems as lifelines

The referral system Tarek is part of is designed to save lives by moving patients quickly and safely across Idlib and Aleppo. Operating in areas where over 4 million people remain in need of health assistance – including 2 million living in camps – and with more returning to Syria, the need is immense. Since 2024, more than 1.2 million Syrians have returned to the country, while internal returns continue, with 1.7 million internally displaced returnees recorded since December 2024.

Against this backdrop, referral pathways help ensure that emergencies do not become tragedies. Tarek recalls one case that captures both the challenges and the impact of this work.

“We were at Bab Al Hawa Hospital, transferring a newborn from the incubator unit to Rajou Hospital in Afrin. When we arrived, we found two newborn twins, only 2 hours old, who urgently needed intubation and transfer to another hospital. The ambulance on site was not ready, and we were not fully prepared either. Despite this, with the help of the medical staff, the babies were intubated and we managed to transfer them safely to Azaz National Hospital.”

For families, the referral system also reduces the financial burden of health care. “In the past, people often had to pay extremely high costs for private transport or private hospitals. Now we can transfer patients for free to facilities where they can receive care,” says Tarek.

Building for today and tomorrow

Paramedic Tarek provides emergency care to a patient inside an ambulance in Aleppo. Photo credit: WHOThe referral system is not only saving lives today – it is shaping the future of Syria’s health system. It supports the Ministry of Health’s goals to expand access, improve quality and strengthen preparedness. It reinforces WHO’s broader efforts to train health workers, improve coordination between facilities, and ensure patients reach specialized care without delay. Crucially, it keeps hospitals, clinics, referral pathways and medical supply chains functioning despite years of conflict and crisis.

In the last year, these services have improved significantly thanks to sustained support. Ambulances are better equipped, medical staff receive more training, and coordination has grown stronger. “We now have better training, more advanced equipment and stronger coordination. This has helped me save many more lives. It also brings stability to my own family, while serving the wider community,” says Tarek. 

EU support keeping systems running

Paramedic Tarek provides emergency care to a patient inside an ambulance in Aleppo. Photo credit: WHOThis work is made possible through funding from the European Union (EU), through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). To date, the EU has provided around €15 million to WHO across Syria, supporting ambulances, referral systems, essential medicines, primary healthcare, trauma care and rehabilitation services.

A recent commitment of an additional €22 million will sustain life-saving and life-sustaining health services for more than 6.5 million people into next year – keeping hospitals, clinics, referral pathways and medical supply chains running as the country begins its transition to recovery and rebuilding, while still maintaining critical humanitarian services.

Looking ahead

Despite the risks and difficulties of his work, Tarek remains motivated.

“This is humanitarian work. It helps the people who need it most, reduces risks and delivers healthcare quickly. The world outside Syria should know the role of paramedics and how essential these services are to saving lives here.”