Growing Health Crisis in Syria

Press Statement

Syrian Coalition

Istanbul, Turkey

October 23, 2013

The Assad regime continues to besiege civilian areas across Syria blocking the access of food, medicine, and necessary vaccinations for children. Reports warning of the possible outbreak of some dangerous diseases- which Syria has long eradicated- have begun to emerge from different hospitals and medical centers. The regime’s war to quell the Syrian revolution of freedom and dignity has not only crippled the country but also sparked off the possible return of rare serious diseases.

The lengthy prolonged siege by Assad’s forces caused further deterioration of the humanitarian situation; especially in light of the lack of desperately needed vaccines in several areas across Syria. Malnutrition, uncollected waste, and the lack of immunizations allowed the return of many diseases, thought to include polio. Whooping cough, leishmaniasis, and measles are also among the diseases that are likely to now plague the Syrian people.

The Syrian Coalition calls on the UN Security Council to push for a resolution compelling the Assad regime to establish humanitarian corridors into besieged civilian areas across Syria. It also calls on international humanitarian organizations; primarily the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières to step up efforts in response to the deteriorating health situations in areas across Syria.

We ask for Mercy for our martyrs, health for our wounded, and freedom for our detainees.

Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.