The World Health Organization (WHO) sent a vital shipment of 50 tons of medical supplies to Istanbul on Thursday, destined for health facilities in northern Syria. The cargo, which included trauma surgery kits and essential medicines, arrived early in the morning at Istanbul Airport.
From there, the supplies will be transported by truck to Mersin, before crossing into Syria through Hatay, following customs clearance. Dr. Pierre Nabeth, WHO’s representative in Türkiye, expressed his satisfaction with the delivery, which had been coordinated from the organization’s emergency depot in Dubai. He emphasized that these kits are critical for treating injuries caused by ongoing conflict and addressing other pressing medical needs in the war-torn region.
With only half of Syria’s hospitals fully operational and many lacking access to basic healthcare amidst outbreaks of cholera and other diseases, this shipment is especially crucial. The supplies include surgical tools, anesthesia, and medicines for treating diseases and preventing further outbreaks, aimed at filling urgent health gaps and supporting Syria’s fragile healthcare infrastructure.
Since November, WHO has delivered over 510 trauma kits to 37 health facilities in Syria, benefiting more than 94,000 people in need.
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