| Feature Item |
| Fifth shipment of aid to leave for Syria from Midlands-based charity Tue 08 May 2012 |
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5 May 2012
A large shipment of medical and humanitarian aid is ready to leave for Syria this week from the charity Hand in Hand for Syria's storage depot in Nottingham.
The charity, run by volunteers from across the Midlands, is one of the few UK aid agencies able to get aid safely inside some of Syria’s worst hit cities, Homs, Idlib and Deraa.
Mr Faddy Sahloul, Chairman of Hand in Hand for Syria said: "Charities are really struggling to reach the most affected families inside Syria. It has been 15 months since the uprising started but the Syrian Government still does not allow safe access for humanitarian aid”.
“We have to smuggle it across the Syrian-Lebanese border and then rely on a safe network of aid workers inside Syria to reach families on the ground. It is difficult and dangerous but thankfully we are successful”.
Dr Ahmed*, an NHS doctor from Birmingham, recently returned from volunteering at a secret field hospital in Homs. He said: "In spite of the UN-brokered ceasefire, there are still casualties on a daily basis attending the hospital, lots of them are women and children shot by government soldiers.”
“People desperately need medical treatment but it's just not safe to go to any of the general hospitals. In some areas around Homs there simply aren't any medical facilities left - the hospitals have been turned into military bases and most pharmacies have closed down”.
“These small field hospitals are struggling to cope."
Since the Syrian uprising started in March 2011, the U.N estimates that over 9000 civilians have lost their lives and at least 30,000 have fled to the neighboring countries. Hand in Hand for Syria (HIHFS) is a non-political UK Registered Charity that emerged in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Many of its volunteers have families still inside Syria.
The aid shipment due to leave this week contains supplies of medicines, wheelchairs, stretchers, operating tables as well as food and clothing. To date the charity has sent aid worth over ÂŁ100,000 to people inside Syria. It has also recently purchased an unmarked civilian ambulance which is now active at the field hospitals in Homs.
Fore more information about its work or to make a donation visit the charity's website www.handinhandforsyria.org.uk
*Dr Ahmed is a pseudonym; the doctor has asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
• Since the Syrian uprising started in March 2011, the U.N estimates that over 9000 civilians have lost their lives and at least 30,000 have fled to the neighboring countries.
• Hand in Hand for Syria (HIHFS) is a non-political UK Registered Charity that emerged in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Many of its volunteers have families still inside Syria.
• It has spokespeople available for interview across the Midlands including doctors who have been out to do field work. Visits to the storage depot can be arranged.
• For more information please contact Mrs Hanadi Alkhder 0781 1177238
• Website www.handinhandforsyria.org.uk – email info@handinhandforsyria.org
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