Manama: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: The Kingdom of Bahrain has announced a new pledge to start reconstruction work in Syria with an estimated cost of $2million US dollars.
In this phase Bahrain will reconstruct three schools in addition to sending medical equipment and a 15-member doctors’ team to provide medical services especially in rehabilitation of those who are still in trauma after an earthquake shaken Syria with an estimated death toll of over 50,000.
The UN Agencies and the Syrian Red Crescent are currently working closely to help earthquake victims in the quake-affected regions of Syria and to restore some of the infrastructure impacted by the earthquake in cooperation with UN agencies.
The Kingdom of Bahrain and the High Commissioner of UNCHR in Syria have signed a MoU paving the way for the RHF to further bolster the much-needed aid and rehabilitation work in Syria.
The latest pledge announced by Dr. Mustafa Al-Sayed, Secretary-General of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF), head of the National Committee for Supporting Earthquake Victims in Syria and Turkey on Tuesday.
Addressing a Press conference held at the RHF Headquarters, Dr Al Sayed shared details of a visit of Bahraini delegation to Syria which he termed a very successful, objective, and informative for the members of the delegation.
The delegation members were also present during the Press conference including Dr Waleed Al Manea, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Amer Al Derazi, President of Bahrain Doctors’ Association and Mohammed Ebrahim, head of Bahrain Red Crescent Society.
Dr Al Sayed said that he held talks with Hussein Makhlouf Syrian Minister of Local Administration and Environment, Chairman of the Higher Committee for Relief, and discussed with him about the medical services conditions in Syria especially in the most affected areas.
“During our stay in Syria we met government officials, members of the public and organisations working on the ground in earthquake affected areas. The members of public greeted delegation on streets as they had seen Bahrain’s aids arriving in Syria on their national TV broadcast.
He said the talks focused on the first relief aid shipment delivered by Bahrain to Syria, in line with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, within the framework of the humanitarian response to face the repercussions and damages caused by the earthquake that struck Syria recently.
Dr. Al-Sayed underlined Bahrain would remain a front state in helping Syrian brothers and sisters in line with the directives of HM King and the support of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the RHF, under the leadership of HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who himself is overseeing the entire operation for offering necessary assistance to quake-affected brotherly Syrian citizens.
“His Majesty King’s telephone call to Syrian President to convey condolences following earthquake has boosted the morale of the people and RHF will continue to work closely with Syria authorities in reconstruction and rehabilitation of Syria.
Talking about the objectives of the visit he said it was very helpful to collect first-hand information about the damage caused by the quake and determine necessarily needs as well as to discuss the possibility of providing helping hand in various walks of life, especially in the relief and humanitarian sectors.
“The national health services in Syria in shambles as vital facilities like MRI, X-Rays, Orthopedic, Surgery and Trauma are almost nonexistent for public. There are only three MRIs machines across Syria, and we are in talks with private hospitals in Bahrain in case they want to donate even the used equipment that can also make a big difference to Syrian people at this stage,” Dr Al Sayed said.
Bahrain will also dispatch second shipment of cargo of 40 tones as Bahraini people have been graciously donating since Syria and Turkey were hit by a deadly earthquake. “The RHF will dispatch the relief goods, tents, medicines and other items by road as it would be cost effective and efficient way reach out the most affected areas,” Dr Al Sayed, added.
