GOPA-DERD’s team in As-Sweida provides humanitarian response to those affected by the recent events

In light of the harsh humanitarian situation resulting from the recent events in As-Sweida Governorate, and as a result of the significant humanitarian and livelihood challenges, GOPA-DERD team is continuing its efforts to provide emergency humanitarian response to those affected – including GOPA-DERD team in As-Sweida.

The team ‎initially began its work with an online meeting with the Director General to develop an emergency intervention plan and provide the required response as quickly as possible, given the challenges posed by the growing need and the current field situation in the governorate.

The team started his work with comprehensive and accurate needs assessment study, by visiting several shelter centers in the city of Salkhad in the rural of As-Sweida, visiting homes damaged by recent events to assess the damage on the ground, and visiting the National Hospital and meeting with its staff in preparation for providing the required response.

The team also implemented an initiative to clean the streets of glass and other debris to ensure the safety of pedestrians, as a first step towards contributing to the rehabilitation of the city’s facilities.

On the other hand, GOPA-DERD team accompanied by a volunteer medical team from the local community is conducting field visits to several shelter centers within the region, including Al-Kafr shelter center which hosts more than 150 displaced people, including women and children, to provide medical examinations and check on those requiring medical follow-up and chronic disease medications.

The team also distributed milk to children under one year old, in cooperation with the “Jana” volunteer group. It also distributed a large collection of clothing provided by a community initiative, after arranging and sorting them by size and age.

The team also implemented a series of psychological support activities for children at shelter centers.

GOPA-DERD team continues to monitor the needs of shelter centers and host families for those affected. In this context, the team has taken the initiative to provide water to some families in the city.

In Al-Sahwa village, which hosted more than 365 displaced persons, medical services were provided according to need. 5 minor surgeries were performed, and approximately 45 shrapnel-wounded patients were treated daily with the necessary bandages. Comprehensive medical examinations were also conducted for 170 children, with appropriate medications provided. Milk and diapers were also distributed to meet the needs of more than 180 children.

The team also provided essential medications to more than 140 people with chronic diseases and followed up on several cases of pregnant women. Emergency cases included treating dozens of patients with severe infections.

These services are currently being provided within local resources, through the medical point located at the shelter centers, and with the support of the local community contributing to the response.

In parallel, GOPA-DERD team in As-Sweida conducted a field intervention at the municipal stadium shelter center, in the city of Shahba in the rural of the governorate. The intervention assessed the needs of more than 500 displaced families, comprising over 2,200 individuals, including children, women, and the elderly.

The intervention included medical examinations for patients with chronic diseases and heart disease, in cooperation with a volunteer medical team from the local community, and the distribution of necessary medications for diagnosed cases.

As part of providing psychological first aid, the team conducted psychological support sessions for women and men to monitor their psychological and social needs, and organized a recreational activity to relieve trauma for children residing with their families at the shelter center.

The team also continues its daily field visits to record data on affected families and monitor their urgent needs, in cooperation with volunteers from the local community and “Athar” team, embodying the values of community solidarity and effective humanitarian response.