Please scroll down below to find the full description of the supplies being purchased with the proceeds from this fundraiser.
For the last nine months, news of the refugee crisis in Eastern Europe has been dominating major media outlets. Migrants are risking their lives to travel from war torn and impoverished countries to seek asylum in Europe. The world was captivated and finally called to action by Aylan Kurdi, a drowned three-year-old who washed ashore on a Turkish beach. Many organizations are now working in the Mediterranean including UNHCR, MSF, Save the Children, and dozens of other NGOs.
As the Emergency Action Committee (EAC), we have historically partnered with small organizations at the root of global health crises. Though an immense challenge in our time that certainly deserves attention and international aid, the refugee crisis in Europe is the product of people forced to flee from their homes. According to the UNHCR as of September 6th, 2015, there are over 6 million registered refugees from Syria, seeking asylum mostly in Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. 9 million Syrians are internally displaced. Fewer than 1,500 healthcare workers remain in Syria.
As such, we decided to focus our efforts in or as close to Syria as we could get.
We are partnering with the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) and Dr. Annie Sparrow to raise money to purchase supplies for the healthcare workers that are remaining in Syria. All of the supplies will be brought to Syria directly by Dr. Sparrow on her next trip to train the healthcare workers in the region.
We are specifically fundraising to buy:
— 1500 “Drug Doses” Booklets: This is an invaluable tool for healthcare workers on the ground, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and medical students. Many of them are largely untrained for the work that they are performing and are acting in a role beyond their knowledge-base. This book will aid them in their treatment of the civilians remaining in Syria.
— Dermabond: An adhesive that can be used to close wounds. Many Syrians are forced to travel hundreds of miles to reach a healthcare facility and have their wounds treated. As a result, it is unlikely that they will be able to return to the healthcare facilities to have their wound stitches removed. Dermabond eliminates the need for a second trip to be made, and will likely improve the outcome for many of those seeking wound treatment.
— Arrow Wires, by Teleflex: These are spring-wire guides to help doctors gain vascular access on the first attempt in severely dehydrated and malnourished patients.
Any amount of donation, small or large, is greatly appreciated.
Please help us in our efforts to #SupportSyria.
Learn more about the EAC here.