WHO steps up response in Aleppo, demands protection for health personnel

With conditions in Aleppo continuing to deteriorate as thousands of people are fleeing from the violence-hit area, the World Health Organization (WHO) alongside United Nations and other partners is working to provide care in the midst of conflict and to assist internally displaced people (IDPs).

The organization has strongly urged all parties to the conflict in Syria to abide by international humanitarian law and protect civilians trapped in the conflict.

In particular, WHO has demanded that all patients and health workers, facilities and vehicles be protected from violence during times of conflict.

WHO has delivered 12 medical shipments of life-saving medicines and medical supplies to the stricken city, sufficient to treat more than 290 000 patients. The medical supplies distributed to 11 public hospitals and 23 primary health care centres, include trauma and surgical supplies, hygiene kits, IV fluids, antibiotics, chronic disease, psychotropic and pediatric medicines, as well as other essential medical equipment.

WHO is seeking to reach the thousands of IDPs and people who are remaining in their houses in previously besieged locations in east Aleppo with vaccination, mobile medical teams, mobile clinics and ambulances for referral of critically ill patients in close cooperation with the local health authorities, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and local non-governmental organizations.

The UN and its partners are fully engaged and sought approvals of all parties to the conflict for an immediate evacuation of the seriously ill people who are trapped in the very last enclaves of the opposition-held eastern Aleppo to final places of destination based on their own choice.