Syrian American Medical Society Annual Report 2014–2015 Contents I Message from the President 3 II About the Syrian American Medical Society 5 III SAMS Milestones 6 IV Syria: A Humanitarian Crisis 8 V Syria Programs 10 VI Syria Programs by Governorate 16 VII Jordan Programs 18 VIII Lebanon Programs 21 IX Turkey Programs 24 X SAMS Funding 26 XI U.S. Work 28 XII Advocacy and Media 30 XIII Coalitions and Working Groups 36 XIV In Memoriam 38 XV Offices and Staff 41 XVI Current Boards and Committees 42 Ohio Office: 3660 Stutz Drive, Suite 100, Canfield, OH 44406 Washington, DC Office: 818 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Floor 6, Washington, DC 20006 (866) 809-9039 | sams-usa.net Facebook.com/SyrianAmericanMedicalSociety Twitter.com/SAMS_USA Cover image by Dimashqi Lens Design by Sensical Design & Communication Annual Report 2014–2015 1 2 Syrian American Medical Society I Message from the President Dear partners anD frienDs, I am honored to present the Syrian American Medical So- ciety (SAMS) annual report for 2014-2015, a year in which we provided critical medical and humanitarian relief to over 1.4 million vulnerable Syrians. In 2014 alone, we provided a re- cord $13.8 million of vital assistance to Syrians, 70% of which came from direct public support like yours. To each and ev- ery SAMS supporter, I say thank you. Without your commit- ment, SAMS would not be able to work with local physicians and healthcare professionals to save Syrian lives, from the besieged families of Eastern Ghouta to the refugee commu- nities in Al Zaatari Camp. Every single day, the crisis in Syria is in my mind and close to my heart. The conflict has just entered its fifth year and has led to the worst humanitarian crisis of this generation- you have heard the staggering statistics of over 220,000 Syrians killed and more than half the population displaced. As UN Chief for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos has said, "Every time we use a new figure in relation to the Syrian crisis, we say that it is unprecedented. We have run out of words to Syrian second-grader Omar drew a world on fire. fully explain the brutality of violence and callous disregard for human life which is a hallmark of this crisis." And yet, despite the unthinkable violence and daily dan- I too have run out of words to describe the horror of watch- ger, our Syrian medical colleagues are the backbone of ing a child die in front of me on the surgery table of an un- crisis response and relief, risking their lives to save others. derground field hospital. I have run out of words to describe I could not be prouder to work with the SAMS-sponsored the pain in the voice of a physician as he recounts his close health workers in Syria who perform surgeries, provide vac- escape from a medical clinic destroyed by an airstrike, while cines, facilitate childbirth, respond to chemical attacks, and his colleagues were not so lucky- over 615 health workers work to help heal the next generation of Syrian children. We have been killed in Syria since 2011. I have run out of words to support brave physicians like Mohamed Tennari, who works describe the collective suffering of Syria’s children, like young in a field hospital in Sarmin, Idlib that has had to be rebuilt Omar, who I met three months ago on a visit to Aleppo. four times following targeted attacks. Dr. Tennari worked Omar is in the second grade. In school, he was asked on the front lines of response following the horrific chlorine to draw a picture, and he drew a world on fire: helicopters attacks that began in Idlib in March 2015. He spoke about dropping barrel bombs, his house in rubble, himself crying his experiences treating chemical exposure victims in front on his knees surrounded by his friends who were dead, dis- of the United Nations Security Council, and prompted their membered, and bleeding. He drew what he came to know in discussion about the need for accountability and attribution Syria. I have run out of words to describe this type of trauma for these chlorine attacks. We support courageous staff in and suffering. Aleppo like Dr. Abu Mohammadin, who is one of many who Annual Report 2014–2015 3 In only four years, our budget grew from $100,000 to $15 million annually and our staff from one to 60 in five different countries. rebuilt our flagship trauma hospital underground to protect chapters grew from two to 16, our members from 150 to over patients and staff from bombing. This hospital has been hit 515, and our donor base grew from 60 to almost 5,000. Our by air attacks numerous times over the last year, and yet staff presence on social media has grown to over 70,000 Face- and civilians have been largely protected by its underground book followers and almost 3,000 twitter followers. SAMS had infrastructure. We support doctors in the besieged areas of a significant presence in the media this year, with coverage Eastern Ghouta as they work day and night to provide care to from major media outlets like the New York Times, the Wash- a population suffering from starvation, acute trauma injuries, ington Post, CNN, NBC, and many more. SAMS has spear- infectious diseases, dehydration, and more. SAMS supports headed Syria humanitarian advocacy at the national and 60% of the healthcare in Eastern Ghouta- in addition to pro- international levels, tangibly influencing policies impacting viding fuel, equipment, and health workers’ salaries, SAMS Syrian refugees, healthcare professionals, humanitarian aid, has pioneered the use of telemedicine as an innovative re- access, and civilian protection. sponse to the needs of the besieged population and lack of Our work has never been more important. Let’s continue specialized physicians. our crucial medial efforts and stand with our brave Syrian It is the courage and humility of these health workers colleagues to show them that they are not alone. Let’s show that motivates me to ensure that SAMS continues to grow in young Omar that he is not alone. scope and ability. With your support, SAMS has transformed On behalf of everyone at the Syrian American Medical So- from a small, member-based professional organization to one ciety, thank you. Your support, your voice, and your contribu- of the leading medical relief and advocacy organizations in- tions have helped us do what we do best: impact the health volved in the Syria crisis. SAMS has impacted the lives of and lives of millions of Syrians. countless Syrians through its programming inside Syria Sincerely, and in its neighboring refugee-host countries. In only four years, our budget grew from $100,000 to $15 million annually Dr. Mohammed Zaher Sahloul and our staff from one to 60 in five different countries. Our President, Syrian American Medical Society 4 Syrian American Medical Society II About the Syrian American Medical Society the syrian american meDical soci- When the conflict in Syria began in Vision ety (SAMS) is a nonpolitical, nonprofit, 2011, SAMS expanded its capacity sig- SAMS’s vision is to be a leading professional and medical relief orga- nificantly to meet the growing needs humanitarian organization, nization that represents hundreds of and challenges of the medical crisis. harnessing the talents of Syrian Syrian American medical profession- SAMS has since supported healthcare American healthcare professionals, als across the United States. SAMS is throughout Syria, sponsoring field hos- and channeling them toward working on the front lines of crisis relief pitals and ambulances, training and medical relief for the people of Syria in Syria and neighboring countries to paying the salaries of Syrian medical and the United States. alleviate suffering and save lives. personnel risking their lives to save oth- SAMS was founded in 1998 as a ers, and sending lifesaving humanitarian professional society, working to pro- aid and medical equipment to where it Mission vide physicians of Syrian descent with is needed most. SAMS also supports networking, educational, cultural, and Syrian refugees in neighboring coun- SAMS’s mission is to save lives professional services. SAMS facilitates tries with critical psychosocial support, and work to ensure healthcare opportunities for its members to stay medical care, and art therapy programs. development on behalf of Syrian connected to Syria through medical SAMS currently has offices in Wash- American healthcare professionals. missions, conferences, and charitable ington DC, Ohio, Jordan, Lebanon, activities. SAMS continues to conduct Turkey, and Syria. SAMS has over 515 national and international conferences grassroots members in the United annually to provide a platform for ex- States, who help lead 16 chapters na- change of ideas and best practices, tionwide. SAMS is governed by an recognition of leaders in humanitarian elected Board of Directors, and its and medical work, and trainings and work is overseen by several volunteer updates on cutting edge medical relief. committees and dedicated staff. Annual Report 2014–2015 5 III SAMS Milestones 1st meetings with UN delegations and agencies ■ Opened Lebanon, Jordan, and Washington D.C. offices 1st medical ■ Initiated mission for Reported on SAMS is 1st medical scholarship Syrian refugees sarin attack in founded mission in Syria program in Turkey Eastern Ghouta 1998 1999 2002 2006 2008 2010 2011 2012 2013 1st International 1st fundraising Started 1st grant received by Conference event for SAMS telemedicine SAMS Foundation in Syria ■ program ■ Obtained 501(c)3 ■ 1st leadership retreat status for SAMS Started for SAMS members Foundation Avicenna ■ Medical Journal