Help Provide Health Care for Syrian Refugees

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. 

• The Never-Ending Line
• Gevgelija

Many thanks from all of us at Project HOPE!

Sincerely,

Sara Leonard