Disaster Response North Macedonia Project #15332

Help Provide Health Care for Syrian Refugees

by Project HOPE

Project Report | Mar 29, 2016
Hands of HOPE - Recognizing our volunteers providing care to those in need during the refugee crisis

By Sara Leonard | Development Specialist

In honor of the upcoming National Volunteer Week, April 10 – 16, Project HOPE is recognizing the commitment of its volunteers providing life-saving health care and services to those most in need – especially those in Macedonia helping refugees and their families, like Dr. Angel Trposka.

“We are here to help in any way we can and happy to provide care to these people suffering from severe diseases and illnesses,” Project HOPE volunteer in Macedonia, Dr. Angel Trposka

Just since January of 2016, HOPE volunteers and medical staff, like Dr. Trposka, have treated more than 1,000 patients passing through the transit centers in Macedonia as they continue their journey. Most of these patients have been children with illnesses such as fevers and head lice and adults suffering from bronchitis and diabetes.

Project HOPE volunteers have not only been treating patients but have also been handing out blankets and food throughout the refugee camps in their spare time and helping patients stay with their families. A new team of volunteers consisting of a doctor, nurse and logistician arrived in Macedonia on March 15 and began helping at the northern border; however, the need for medical personnel only continues to grow. Project HOPE is currently working to secure a third team of local Macedonian volunteers to provide additional support.

In addition to volunteer support, Project HOPE has shipped more than $2 million in donated medicines and supplies to the Macedonian Ministry of Health to-date, supporting medical facilities serving refugee transit centers. Project HOPE was also recently recognized by the MOH as their best partner in the response to the crisis.

Our work, and the work of our volunteers, would not be possible without the generosity of donors like you. Your support enables us to provide quality health care and services, directly impacting the lives of children and their families affected by the refugee crisis. Thank you!

To learn more about our work in Macedonia, click here.

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Dec 30, 2015
Happy holidays to you from Gevgelija!

By Sara Leonard | Development Specialist

Dec 4, 2015
As the Winter Approaches, Needs for Refugees Incre

By Sara Leonard | Development Specialist

As winter approaches, more and more migrants and refugees are facing common threats that come along with cold weather including lack of warm clothing, limited food and shelter and increased susceptibility to illness. Many of the refugees passing through Macedonia left their homes in the summer and are ill-prepared for the coming challenges as the weather changes. One young Syrian mother waiting at the transit center in Gevelija did not have any winter clothes.

“It was summer when we started our journey. My baby is only seven months old.”

Thanks to donations of clothes from the Macedonian people, the mother was able to find a jacket for her baby; however, she is one of many in need of assistance and Project HOPE is working hard to provide relief and care to as many refugees and migrants as possible over the coming months.

In early November, Project HOPE delivered its second shipment of donated medicines and supplies to the Ministry of Health in Macedonia – more is on the way – while also sending two medical volunteers to work in the Refugee Transit Center in Gevgelija.

HOPE volunteers, Dr. Corey Kahn and Nurse Louisa Reade Shawkat, have been working 3 rounds of 4 12-hour shifts at the transit center’s health facility since November 6^th, 2015, coordinating with Project HOPE staff on the ground and the Ministry of Health. The number of patients on their first day was limited – approximately 2,000 compared to the ranging 5,000 – 10,000 per day – due to a strike by ferry boat workers that stalled transportation of immigrants from Greece. Yet, there were still many patients to be seen with injuries ranging from bumps and bruises to head injuries. The medical supplies donated by HOPE to the transit centers have also made a big impact on the team’s ability to provide quality care to patients. Of a donated Tympanic thermometer from HOPE, one of the doctor's said:

“[This thermometer] makes our work much easier, especially with the pediatric patients. No such product was available to us prior to HOPE’s donation.”

The number of individuals requesting medical assistance between Macedonia’s two transit centers has risen to approximately 800 per day. Thanks to you and donors like you, Project HOPE will be able to continue providing quality health care and humanitarian assistance to these individuals and their families in Gevgelija, as they continue on their journey and search for a home.

For more information on HOPE’s work responding to the refugee crisis, check out these compelling blog posts by HOPE’s volunteer photojournalist, Ted Wendel, recently returned from Gevgelija.

Many thanks from all of us at Project HOPE!

Sincerely,

Sara Leonard

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