“The earthquake [brought] a state of panic and fear, a situation we had never experienced before,” said Alaa Abdullah, MSF nursing team supervisor in Idlib. “Although we had faced many incidents such as bombardment on cities and towns in northwestern Syria, this time it was completely different.”
The aftermath of this catastrophe has imposed severe challenges on an already fragile health care system and has disrupted the lives of huge numbers of people. Across affected areas in northwestern Syria, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and its partners have been at the forefront of efforts to rehabilitate facilities, provide essential medical services, and alleviate the hardships endured by displaced people in the worst-affected areas, such as Jindiris, Sarmada, Armanaz, Jisr Al Shughur, Al Maland, Harim, and Salqin.
Mohammed Al-Aziz, MSF's Community Health Workers Supervisor in Idlib, underscores the health care needs that remain, "Areas severely impacted face pressing health care and psychological needs, with many grappling with trauma from loss, fear, and injuries. Some families, affected deeply by the quake's challenges, struggle to reintegrate into the community and secure their basic needs."
As the recovery process continues, MSF remains committed to its ongoing efforts. However, earthquake response-related activities have been integrated as part of MSF's regular activities. These efforts focus on extending facilities, recruiting additional medical staff, and providing essential mental health and recreational activities. MSF's response to the aftermath of the earthquake in northwestern Syria encapsulates a comprehensive approach that spans emergency care, rehabilitation, and ongoing support.
Ongoing struggles and progress in affected areas
For over a decade, people in northwestern Syria have faced extreme hardships, living in constant search of safety and grappling with economic challenges. The health care situation has been worsened by pre-existing issues, such as underfunded medical facilities and limited services, which require swift and robust action.
"The earthquake on February 6 exacerbated this suffering, forcing many to leave their permanent homes due to extensive damage,” said Alaa. “This not only affected their living conditions but also led to new health challenges, such as the emergence of skin diseases in displacement camps. Natural disasters leave a lasting, negative imprint on the lives of those affected."
The Jindaris subdistrict was hit hardest by the earthquakes, with over 1,000 reported deaths and 80 percent of structures affected. However, amidst the ruins, there are signs of progress. The rubble clearance in Jindaris has been successful, setting the stage for reconstruction. Additionally, the establishment of camps for internally displaced people (IDP) in the Afrin subdistrict has provided a semblance of refuge for those uprooted by the disaster.
To ensure the continuity of essential services, the MSF team helped a local partner in Jindaris to set up tented wards next to the damaged hospital to offer emergency consultations, pediatrics, and reproductive health services, in addition to assisting births. Over 1,000 patients were treated in this field hospital. Syria 2023 © Abd Almajed Alkarh
In the Idlib and Aleppo areas, MSF has focused on rehabilitating facilitates and also constructed an extension to the Mashad Ruhin facility to accommodate the growing number of displaced people. The facility’s medical staff has been bolstered with the addition of one doctor and one nurse.
MSF's rehabilitation activities
Immediately following the earthquake, MSF launched an emergency response, providing trauma kits and support to hospitals within the first 48 hours. The rehabilitation phase encompassed a range of activities aimed at restoring health care facilities and services. This included continuing support for 15 reception centers, deploying mobile teams across 80 locations, and establishing advanced burn patient locations in Jisr Al Shughur, Andalus Hospital in Sarmada, and Amal Hospital in Daret Ezzeh. MSF's support also extended to Afrin General Hospital, which played a vital role in the response. While progress has been made, MSF's efforts are ongoing. Key health care centers need further rehabilitation, underscoring the ongoing necessity for resources and commitment.
In collaboration with a local organization, an MSF team in Jindaris is running a mobile clinic in Hamam camp. In its first month of operation, mobole clinic teams performed 1,550 medical consultations and offered 670 mental health sessions. Syria 2023 © Abd Almajed Alkarh
As the situation shifts, the focus has pivoted to orthopedic care. MSF's support for an orthopedic hospital includes training for orthopedic surgeons and improvements in infection prevention and control protocols. However, impending funding constraints are poised to impact the hospital's operations in the coming weeks.
Collective centers have emerged as focal points of humanitarian aid, providing essential housing for displaced people. However, challenges persist with suboptimal living conditions and inadequate hygiene facilities, testing the resilience of both the people who live in these centers and aid providers.
The Syrian Ministry of Displacement and Humanitarian Affairs (MDHA) has embarked on a transition strategy, relocating people to housing projects or temporary housing with improved living standards. But longstanding gaps in specialized health care services persist, hindering access to essential medical care.
Mental health and recreational support
The earthquakes had a considerable impact on the well-being of the community, exacerbating mental health issues. “Cases of maladjustment to the post-earthquake situation have emerged, characterized by increased panic and fear, particularly among children,” said Alaa. “This has led to behavioral problems such as bedwetting, increased aggression, attachment to parents, nightmares, and social isolation.”
Acknowledging the psychological toll of the earthquakes, MSF also provides mental health support. We offer mental health services in mobile clinics, which have become an integral part of ongoing activities. Recreational activities that provide psychological relief and support have also been introduced in various collective centers, including Al Nour, Al Sana, Wade Raseef, and Al Kwathar camps. Social workers and lay counselors are engaged in these activities, referring identified cases to MSF mental health teams and other medical services, as well as other organizations that can provide non-medical and social support.
While significant strides have been made, challenges in health care access, living conditions, and specialized services persist in Northwest Syria, underscoring the need for sustained efforts.
