BREAKING: Airstrike Kills 4 Aid Workers Of Europe Based NGO in Syria
September 20, 2016
Toronto, ON- Four staff members of The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM) were killed, and one nurse is in critical condition today after an airstrike hit a medical facility at approximately 11 p.m. Damascus time. The airstrike hit Khan Touman medical triage point in Aleppo and complete destroyed the facility and two ambulances. Many more victims are feared dead as the strike occurred at night and many are still buried underneath rubble.
The medical triage point provides triage and emergency medical services to approximately 750 wound patients a month. Ahmad Dbais, UOSSM Director of Hospitals and Trauma in the Northern Region said, “The building was three stories, two of which were above ground and one story was underground. Due to the intensity of the bombing all three levels collapsed and are now buried underground.
We don’t know the exact number of casualties as it is still night and many of the victims are still buried under the rubble.”
Two nurses and two ambulance drivers were killed. The fifth victim, a nurse, has suffered severe burns and is in critical condition. The patient has been transferred to Bab Al-Hawa Hospital (UOSSM).
This attack comes one day after the UN/ Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) convoy was hit by airstrikes leading to the death of the Director of the SARC and many other aid workers. It has been a deadly year for healthcare workers with 115 were killed in 2016 alone, and over 700 medical personnel have been killed since the beginning of the crisis in Syria.
"Attacks on aid workers has sky rocketed, both in frequency and intensity. REAL ACTIONS must be taken to protect aid workers and hold those responsible accountable. Many aid workers have stopped their work because they are being deliberately targeted. The aid workers who lost their lives today knew the risks but still went out to help. This is the highest level of heroism and I offer my sincere condolences to their families. " Said Dr. Anas Al Kassem, Chairman of UOSSM Canada and Ontario Surgeon.
Dr. Anas Al Kassem is available for interview.
Name:
Avi D'Souza
Global Director of Communications,
UOSSM INTL.
Email:
press@uossm-canada.org
Phone:
(647) 528-5029
