Jaafar Al Ahmer, Head of NCF UK, continues his journey in Latakia and Jableh, distributing aid on behalf of the Next Century Foundation. The NCF Syria Earthquake Victims Appeal will continue to provide vital assistance to these severely affected yet otherwise aid-starved areas.
Yesterday I slightly touched on the psychological impact of the earthquake on the people. I was told yesterday by Dr Ghassan Abboud about the need for more supporting teams for those affected.
Accidentally I met this morning at the hotel where I am staying in Latakia (Afamia) with two ladies working with the Red Cross, coming with a supporting team from Damascus: a doctor GP named Lyne and a psychology specialist (also Lyne). Lyne (2) explained that in spite of the growing need of psychological support, there is only one specialist in Latakia, as most of these specialists left Latakia.
Dr Ghassan Abboud later took us to his home, to meet his family: his father, who is a doctor (radiologist), his brother (studying dentistry), and his mother. (Later I will write a separate piece regarding that enlightening meeting.)
At three 3 o’clock we headed to Tichreen Hospital where Dr Baddour welcomed us into his office, and we gave him the medical contribution made by NCF. (I already sent photos regarding this.) As Friday is a weekend, the director of Tichreen Hospital (Luay Naddaf) was not there. I asked Dr Baddour if he could arrange a meeting with Luay, and he said would try to arrange a meeting on Saturday morning.
Dr Baddour, as a UK graduate, goes by the book. He asked me to add the word ‘Gift’ to the statement I stuck on the boxes. He explained that any kind of contribution needs official approval – a bureaucratic process – in spite of the fact that he told the hospital’s director earlier of the coming medical boxes. So, I used a bold pen he gave me to add the word هدية (‘Gift’) to the statements on each box., besides my name and signature as a representative of the donor (NCF).
The meeting with Dr Baddour was interesting. Thankfully he gave us some time as he was very busy, as he was to be travelling late on Saturday, heading to London. He showed an interest in meeting NCF – perhaps Michael may help in this regard.
Now we are heading to Tichreen hospital. I will keep you informed.
Small note: I managed to see Dr Luay Naddaf, the director of Tichreen Hospital, thanks to Dr Baddour, who convinced him to come to the hospital to meet us at the weekend (Saturday). Then we went to see areas damaged in Latakia and visited a sheltering Centre, then to Jableh countryside, then to Damascus where I will stay the night and leave tomorrow morning (Sunday) for Lebanon.
I am always on the move, and the internet is not always available, so I will later update you with further reports.
And one more thing: the observations regarding the impact of the earthquake in Latakia and Jableh are more or less the same in all areas hit by the earthquake. The needs and challenges are almost the same.
