As a part of its response to the devastating earthquake that occurred on February 6th in northern Syria and southern Turkey, Medair in Syria provided multi-purpose cash assistance for the first time to assist vulnerable communities in the aftermath of the earthquake.
“Tariq is fifteen years old now. Doctors say we have to buy a blood sugar meter to monitor his health condition. However, we don’t have money to buy it, and we only know that his sugar has risen when he faints.” Hani explained his son’s health conditions to Moataz from the Medair team.
The Syrian crisis continues. It has until now lasted as long as World War I and World War II combined and has left two-thirds of the country’s population in need of humanitarian assistance. In most cases, individuals in critical need or those facing extreme hardship are the people who are hard to reach. Medair endeavours to reach out to those people and provide them with support in many different sectors.
Some years ago, in one of the clinics in Bustan Al Qasr area in Aleppo City, Nisreen, 39 years old, and Hani, 45, were anxiously listening to the doctor. The doctor was discussing the health status of their four-year-old child, Tariq.
The doctor stated that Tariq was diagnosed with diabetes at birth, which affected his liver and resulted in liver fibrosis. Once they recovered from the shock, Nisreen and Hani started medical treatment for their loved child.
Tariq, a 15-year-old young boy, is in the Hospital in Aleppo after he faints due to the rise of the sugar in his blood. He was diagnosed with diabetes at birth, which affected his liver and resulted in liver fibrosis. However, his parents cannot cover the expenses of this expensive treatment, and they know his sugar has risen only if he faints. The Medair cash team distributed Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance [MPCA] to his father to support him in affording Tariq’s treatment. ©Medair/Lubna Zarzour
Tariq stayed in the hospital for a couple of weeks. “His situation is serious and needs continuous medical monitoring, as well as regular hospital visits. Diabetes also impacts the functioning of his lungs, potentially resulting in breathing difficulties,” said the doctor.
Because of the expensive treatment costs, Tariq’s parents had to sell their home in the Bustan Al Qasr area in Aleppo to cover part of the treatment’s expenses. Hani tried to borrow money from relatives and neighbours.
Year after year, Tariq needed more attention. There was no improvement in his health conditions, and the diabetes affected other organs. Recently, Tariq’s belly started to swell due to the retention of liquids in his body.
Medair community health workers were passing through the street in Bustan Al Qasr area in Aleppo City where Hani is working in a cars’ repair workshop with a daily wage. He saw them while they were making assessments and registering the people’s information. He came close and got a ray of hope when he heard that they support people in need.
“Tariq is fifteen years old now. Doctors say we have to buy a blood sugar meter to monitor his health condition. However, we don’t have money to buy it, and we only know that his sugar has risen when he faints.” Hani explained his son’s health conditions to Moataz from the Medair team.
Hani, 45 years old, told Moataz from the Medair cash team about his son’s health condition. “Tariq was diagnosed with diabetes at birth, and there is no improvement in his health since then. My wife and I sold our house to cover the expensive cost of the treatment, he said. Tariq then came to say hello to Moataz. The Medair Cash team distributed multi-purpose cash assistance to his father to support him in affording his son’s very expensive treatment. ©Medair/Lubna Zarzour
Moataz wrote down all the needed information and promised Hani to call him and come for a visit soon.
After three days, the Medair Cash team visited Hani in his rented house in Bustan Al Qasr. They distributed multiple-purpose cash assistance to the family to support them in paying for their son’s treatment.
Knowing that there are attentive people who care for our son and us is sufficient for us. My wish is to see my son happy and leading a life free of pain,” says Hani receiving the multi-purpose cash assistance from Moataz from the Medair team.
“I have some stomach issues; that’s why you see my belly is swollen,” said Tariq to the Medair team while tapping on his stomach with a smile.
“My belly is swollen,” says Tariq, a 15-year-old to Moataz from the Medair cash team. “Dad says I have some issues with my stomach, and I will be OK soon,” the young boy added with a nice smile. Tariq was diagnosed with diabetes at birth, which affected many organs in his body and needed urgent treatment. The Medair Cash team distributed multi-purpose cash assistance to his father to support him in affording his son’s expensive treatment. ©Medair/Lubna Zarzour
Nisreen, Tariq’s mother, can’t hold herself back from crying. “Your money assistance is the last hope that we have before losing our son. Doctors say that he will not live long if he doesn’t get all the needed treatment,” she said out of tears.
The generous support from the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC ) and Tearfund has enabled the Medair Cash team to reach 3508 individuals in Aleppo by the end of July 2023. Medair carries on the multi-purpose cash assistance distribution to reach those in the greatest need and increase their capacity.
Medair’s work in Syria is made possible by the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) and Tearfund and generous private donors like you.
This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organization.
