Cholera. Easily preventable, yet potentially life-threatening. Devastatingly, this is the reality that many in Syria are currently facing.
On the 10 September, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported a cholera outbreak in Syria. Since then, over 10,000 suspected cases have been reported across the country, with hotspots in high-risk areas. Cases are particularly high in camp-like settings, which are all too common a sight following more than a decade of conflict.
The high infection rate here is primarily due to poor and intermittent water and hygiene supplies, overcrowding, and inaccessibility of health facilities. It is these multifaceted issues our partners at SAMS work tirelessly, day in and day out, to alleviate.
Persistent funding shortages in the health sector, and restricted capacity to treat cholera cases means there is a chance people with the disease will die. This is why your generous donations are so important.
Thanks to a Hands Up grant, SAMS is supporting the Ali Bajliyah Primary Health Clinic, providing cholera kits and 16,000 sachets of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS). These kits mean patients can be effectively rehydrated and leads to a 99% chance of them surviving.
It may seem so simple, but without these sachets, and without your help, these resources would not be available to many, meaning that getting cholera could have a wholly different ending.
To support SAMS in their life-saving work, we are holding our annual fundraising campaign, Singing for Syrians, a Christmas carol concert in St Margaret’s Church on 1 December- we would love you to come along. Tickets are now on sale.
Please also consider donating, or getting involved some other way – there are so many ways you can help.
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