×

News publications and other organizations are encouraged to reuse Direct Relief-published content for free under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International), given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

When republishing:

  • Include a byline with the reporter’s name and Direct Relief in the following format: "Author Name, Direct Relief." If attribution in that format is not possible, include the following language at the top of the story: "This story was originally published by Direct Relief."
  • If publishing online, please link to the original URL of the story.
  • Maintain any tagline at the bottom of the story.
  • With Direct Relief's permission, news publications can make changes such as localizing the content for a particular area, using a different headline, or shortening story text. To confirm edits are acceptable, please check with Direct Relief by clicking this link.
  • If new content is added to the original story — for example, a comment from a local official — a note with language to the effect of the following must be included: "Additional reporting by [reporter and organization]."
  • If republished stories are shared on social media, Direct Relief appreciates being tagged in the posts:
    • Twitter (@DirectRelief)
    • Facebook (@DirectRelief)
    • Instagram (@DirectRelief)

Republishing Images:

Unless stated otherwise, images shot by Direct Relief may be republished for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution, given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

  • Maintain correct caption information.
  • Credit the photographer and Direct Relief in the caption. For example: "First and Last Name / Direct Relief."
  • Do not digitally alter images.

Direct Relief often contracts with freelance photographers who usually, but not always, allow their work to be published by Direct Relief’s media partners. Contact Direct Relief for permission to use images in which Direct Relief is not credited in the caption by clicking here.

Other Requirements:

  • Do not state or imply that donations to any third-party organization support Direct Relief's work.
  • Republishers may not sell Direct Relief's content.
  • Direct Relief's work is prohibited from populating web pages designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
  • Advance permission is required to translate Direct Relief's stories into a language different from the original language of publication. To inquire, contact us here.
  • If Direct Relief requests a change to or removal of republished Direct Relief content from a site or on-air, the republisher must comply.

For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

Direct Relief Equips Syrian Doctors with Chemical-Weapons Antidotes, Protective Gear

News

Syrian Refugee Crisis

SAMS doctors provide crucial care to refugees.
By Tony Morain

Direct Relief has shipped the first of three batches of nerve agent antidotes and protective gear to Syria to help shield Syrian doctors and healthcare workers from chemical weapons attacks.

The shipments, valued at $1.2 million, include more than 10,000 doses of antidote for sarin and other nerve agents of the type used in the April 4 chemical attack on the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun. The antidote has been in short supply in Syria and will be distributed to health workers by three Syrian medical aid groups, consistent with recently published WHO guidelines regarding preparation and response to chemical weapons attacks.

The shipments also include protective gear, respiratory supplies and surgical instruments to treat adults and children, and thousands of bottles of prenatal and children’s vitamins.

The aftermath of airstrikes on a SAMS-supported hospital in Idlib on April 2, 2017. (Syrian American Medical Society photo)

Relentless bombings of health clinics and hospitals in Syria have killed more than 800 health workers, according to the medical journal Lancet. Several were among the more than 80 killed in the April 4 sarin gas attack on Khan Sheikhoun.

Hours after the April attack, Direct Relief received an email from Dr. Ahmad Rami Moqdom, logistics manager for the Syrian American Medical Society. Dr. Moqdom told the story of Dr. Ali Darwish, a SAMS surgeon who died in another chemical weapons attack in Hama province on March 25. Dr. Darwish continued operating on a patient during the attack, collapsed in the operating room and died soon after.

“Our main concentration is to protect the medical staff who are in direct contact with the injured ones,” he wrote, emphasizing the need to protect doctors from chemical attacks in the future.

The kit is designed to enable a quick, effective response to disasters. (Photo by Bryn Blanks/Direct Relief)

In addition to the Syrian American Medical Society, Direct Relief is providing specialized medicine and medical supplies to the Independent Doctors Association and Syria Relief & Development, which will depart Direct Relief’s warehouse in the coming weeks.

“While our number one priority to prevent aerial attacks on hospitals and health workers in Syria fails to be met by the international community, activating a preparedness plan for future chemical attacks will save countless patients and colleague lives,” said Dr. Salah Safad, Independent Doctors Association’s Health Programs Manager. “The Syrian regime has attacked us many times before and we are constantly adapting our operations to the weaponization of healthcare that has come to characterize our situation in Syria. As the medics treating patients under bombings and chemical attacks, being prepared with critically needed medication is of great benefit to our life-saving work.”

The deliveries to Independent Doctors Association and SAMS also include emergency health kits, each containing over 150 essential items such as antibiotics, surgical tools, and trauma and wound care supplies. The kits are designed to treat 1,000 patients for one month and have been honed and refined by Direct Relief over years of responding to disasters.

In addition to the nerve agent antidotes and protective gear, the delivery to Syria Relief & Development includes 4,000 bottles of prenatal vitamins and 8,000 bottles of children’s chewable multivitamins.

Direct Relief’s Emergency Health Kit is designed to provide hospitals and safety net clinics with the essential emergency medicines and medical supplies after humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters. Items like medications to manage chronic conditions, like diabetes, are included to ensure consistent disease care. (Photo by Bryn Blanks/Direct Relief)

“Direct Relief is committed to doing all it can to prevent further human tragedy and loss of life among those trapped in a brutal situation, and for the medical staff who put themselves at risk simply trying to provide humanitarian care,” said Thomas Tighe, CEO of Direct Relief. “Medicine can’t end a war, but it might save a life.”

Since the Syrian conflict began, Direct Relief has made more than 160 emergency deliveries of medicine and medical supplies valued over $50 million to Syria and neighboring countries.

Filed Under: , , ,

Giving is Good Medicine

You don't have to donate. That's why it's so extraordinary if you do.