Earthquake aid in northern Syria is blocked by both the Turkish state and the Assad regime. The Internationale Nothilfe e.V. has now sent a team of doctors to the region to look after survivors in cooperation with local partners.
A team of doctors from Internationale Nothilfe e.V. (IEH) has set out for areas in Syria that have been devastated by the earthquake. In coordination with local partners, the team will initially provide medical care to the survivors, said Dr. Akram Naasan, chairman of the IEH. “The severe earthquakes at the beginning of February hit a region in Syria with over a million people and internal war refugees. The north-east of Syria was particularly hard hit, as critical power and water supply infrastructure, hospitals, schools and grain silos have been destroyed in this area by Turkish airstrikes since November 2022.
Dr. Nassan said: “Shortly after the disaster, international aid was sent. However, it can be assumed that the Syrian and Turkish governments will block or at least delay the provision of aid in north-eastern Syria, which is predominantly inhabited by Kurds. In the worst case, this can cost lives.
The German NGO has been working in the region for years to set up medical structures in cooperation with the Kurdish Red Crescent. Aid supplies had already been delivered before the medical team was dispatched.”
The IEH receives prominent support from actress Halima Ilter, who said: “For survivors and the bereaved, aid must be available. I won't rest until I know that everyone is getting help. It doesn't matter whether you're a Turk, Kurd, Assyrian, Alevi or Arab. And political interests should be taken aside in such a catastrophe. Borders must be open. More than ever before, humanity is needed right now. That's why I support the IEH and ask for your help as well."
IEH: International and voluntary NGO
The IEH is an international, voluntary non-governmental organization (NGO) that has already completed 126 aid projects in 26 countries. In addition to medical care, e.g. for landmine victims, the focus is on training local workers and reconstruction. The IEH is an association of specialists from the fields of medicine, physiotherapy, orthopaedic technology and other professions. The predecessor organization, the Voluntary Relief Doctors (VRD), began its work in 1990 with an emergency medical aid program for the Kurdish areas of northern Iraq.
