The Ninth Nordic Conference on Middle Eastern Studies in Lund September 19-21, 2013 Everyday Life in the Middle East “Everyday Life in the Middle East” The brutal war in Syria: a human health perspective By Dr. Ghassan Shahrour

The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour Feb 23rd, 2013 Mar. 19,

Devastating Growing numbers The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour 3

More than 7 million people are in urgent need for humanitarian assistance, 6 million people in need of food assistance, The WFP, have reached only 2.4 million. More than 5·1 million are internally displaced, More than 2 million refugees are residing in neighboring countries The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour 4

Some characteristics of the Armed Conflict & Consequences 5

The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour 6

As of May, 37% of all public hospitals in Syria were no longer functioning, and another 20% were damaged and only partly operational. 22 Pharmaceutical Factories and 418 public health centers were destroyed. About one thousand were jailed or detained. About half of Syria’s approximately physicians have fled the country (52 Ministry of Health staff and 18 Red Crescent Society staff have been killed). The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour 7 Impacts on Health

More than 70% of the medical community have fled and most health-care facilities are either damaged or destroyed in opposition areas. Outbreaks of measles, typhoid, leishmaniasis, acute diarrhea, and hepatitis. Treatment and services for (NCD) chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer are virtually non- existent in opposition districts. Medications, and Vaccinations. The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour Impacts on Health 8

Severe lack of access to clean water since they have less than one third of the water supply of pre-crisis levels. This is why the outbreaks of hepatitis A and other infectious diseases and hygiene-related diseases have been widely observed in those areas as well as in refugee camps a problem with trash removal and water scarcity, Limited pesticide spraying Civilians who flee Syria often bring numerous unresolved health problems with them. The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour 9 Impacts on Health

Many schools if not damaged, have been widely used as overcrowded shelters, so that more and more students with urgent need for psychosocial support for children with Stress-related mental illness. The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour 10

The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour (Syrian Refugees are particularly at risk from ERW since there are minefields in many border areas. They are at risk of being killed or injured by ERW left over from previous fighting or obscured by rubble – especially children). UNMAS of 20th February 2013 More Than 150 Documented CM Attacks in 6 Months HRW, March 16, Example

NCDs: Before the war, more than 70% of deaths in Syria were due to non-communicable diseases, principally cardiovascular diseases and cancers. The documented deaths from the war in the last 2 years represent a 50% increase in total deaths among Syrians over peace time levels, Management of NCDs requires monitoring programs, to avoid complications. The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour 12

The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour Bread Crisis 13

The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour Stories 14 جهاد الكفري

Moreover, a drug crisis or bomb is growing due to the situation including the lack or no border control, wide scale smuggling as well as the growing challenges in running anti-narcotics programs.. UNODC reports have not reflected the growing drug crisis. No tangible contingency plan was made. The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour 15

The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour Not only are the people living with a deep fear as a part of everyday life, but they are also living in a real fear of their vague and unknown future.. 16

The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour In the past, Syria had been known as haven and paradise for many refugees whoever they were; Algerians, Armenians, Palestinians, Jordanians, Lebanese or Iraqis. In the past, Syria had been known as haven and paradise for many refugees whoever they were; Algerians, Armenians, Palestinians, Jordanians, Lebanese or Iraqis. Now, That Syrian haven and heaven has become hell and hellfire for its own people. 17

The brutal war in Syria: A human health perspective by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour 18