Manchester humanitarian charity, Human Appeal, has condemned yesterday’s attack on a women’s and children’s hospital in Aleppo. The hospital, which is funded by Human Appeal donors, was hit by multiple airstrikes and had to be evacuated.
Convalescing civilians, including babies and small children, were subjected to this horror throughout the early hours. Some patients and staff suffered shrapnel wounds. The airstrikes come only two months after ground and air strikes in June and have caused severe damage to the hospital, ambulances and staff vehicles. The destruction of generators resulted in a power cut, preventing the functioning of vital medical equipment. Six pits, located just three metres away, indicate systematic targeting of the building.
Since 2011, there have been 492 attacks on Syria’s healthcare facilities. Due to huge waves of Syrians fleeing violence in south Idleb, Human Appeal recruited specialist staff, including a doctor, a dentist and a midwife, and helped patients to reach the facility safely. Staff continued to work despite the risks. During the past eight months alone, 115,389 Syrians were treated at the hospital. 1,752 babies were delivered. Consultations were carried out for 9,876 children under five. There were 2,344 women and children admitted. 15 health care workers were trained. 9,988 children under five were immunised, while life-saving preventative nutrition services were provided to 21,419 children.
Dr Ashmawey, Human Appeal’s CEO, said:
Human Appeal will provide ongoing updates on this situation. For more information visit humanappeal.org.uk
Human Appeal’s CEO, Dr Ashmawey, and local medical workers in Syria are available for interview. Contact Charlotte Morris on 07967818064
Aleppo’s Al-Imaan hospital facts
