UNICEF, Canada, President and CEO David Morley, is speaking out condemning the latest attacks on hospitals and clinics in Syria in ongoing violation of international law.
Listen“three medical facilities were attacked in Aleppo, in the space of three hours”
Yesterday, UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Dr. Peter Salama, confirmed that three medical facilities were attacked in Aleppo, in the space of three hours. “The al-Bayan and al-Hakeem hospitals, within a distance of 300 metres, and the Abdulhadi Fares clinic, all in the eastern part of the city were hit.” according to Dr. Salama.
“The Al Hakim hospital, a UNICEF supported facility, is one of the few that still provide pediatric services.” Dr. Salama said this was the second attack on that site. “In the past two weeks alone, six health facilities were attacked across the country.” he says.
“Surely this should shake the moral compass of the world.”
Nine newborns were scooped from incubators following an aerial attack that damaged equipment, according to the Independent Doctors’ Association in Syria, which runs the al-Bayan hospital.
“After a week of intense attacks that have left dozens of civilians killed, Aleppo is now facing its first taste of siege,” Dr Osama Abo al Ezz, a surgeon from the Syrian American Medical Society, told Al Jazeera. “We are distressed and paralysed. Yet international demands for civilian protection are not being backed up by any tangible action.” he said.
UNICEF has 200 people working inside of Syria helping to alleviate the suffering. David Morley says they are some of the “bravest people in the world”, continuing to work to supply clean water and the medical supplies to keep the hospitals going, particularly in the most beseiged areas, such as Aleppo.
“It shows you what happens as wars continue where military tactics just overcome humanity.”
David Morley says he has witnessed what happens in conflict zones when “humanity gets lost because military tactics become everything and that brings out the worst in people and it causes the most suffering.” He says “Get at least a ceasefire that’s going to hold”
“Everybody is just outraged and shocked”
Morley’s says he hopes Canadianswill join the Syrian-Canadian community in reaching out and encouraging our government to talk, to take the diplomatic route to try to end this fighting.” He says it’s difficult to watch the way the situation in Syria continues to deteriorate.
UNICEF is the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.
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