WHO Plea on Safety of Sick in Syria

WHO is calling on belligerent groups in Syria to allow for the immediate and safe evacuation of the sick and wounded from all areas affected by the conflict. More than 270,000 people are trapped in east Aleppo with dwindling supplies of food, water and fuel. Humanitarian organizations have not been allowed to deliver aid since the besiegement of the city on July 7, WHO reported. In the past week, over 840 people have been injured, almost a third of them children, while the health facilities that would treat them are understaffed. “Attacking healthcare is both illegal and barbaric,” said Dr Pete Salama, executive director of WHO’s health emergencies program. “Blocking whole populations from access to medical care is intolerable. It is inexcusable cruelty.” The organization has developed strategies for medical evacuations as soon as this becomes possible. In the meantime, WHO will train first responders on trauma care via telephone and video calls.