A Saudi delegation from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center recently visited major hospitals in Syria to assess the basic needs of the medical facilities. The delegation met with officials from the Syrian Ministry of Health and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to discuss priorities in relief and humanitarian efforts. The goal is to enhance support and assistance for the Syrian people, ensuring they have access to a dignified life. This visit follows a meeting between the Saudi delegation and Syrian Health Minister Maher Al-Sharaa to discuss ways to enhance humanitarian and medical cooperation, along with the challenges faced by the health sector due to corruption and nepotism during the former regime.
In an effort to support the rehabilitation of Syria’s infrastructure, including the health sector, the Saudi delegation is working towards securing the basic needs of hospitals in Syria. Meanwhile, relief planes and the first convoy of the Saudi relief land bridge have been dispatched to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. The Saudi air bridge has delivered food, shelter, and medical supplies to Damascus, while the relief land bridge saw sixty trucks cross through the Jaber Border Crossing of Jordan. Additionally, the Kingdom’s efforts now include the opening of volunteer opportunities for specialized Saudi medical experts through the Saudi Voluntary Program for Syrians AMAL, with registration available through a provided link.
The AMAL program aims to provide critical emergency and medical services to Syrians in need, supporting the Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts. Specialists in various medical fields are invited to volunteer their expertise for a full year to provide medical services to those in need in Syria. The required specialties include pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, obstetrics, and gynecology, among others. KSrelief Spokesperson Dr. Samer Al-Jatili emphasized the importance of the program in supporting the health sector in Syrian cities during the current crisis. He highlighted the significant impact of Saudi health cadres volunteering their expertise in various countries worldwide, including over 200,000 operations performed in different specialties.
The AMAL program’s launch is a result of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s charitable and humanitarian role towards affected communities globally. The program aims to extend a helping hand to the Syrian people during this challenging period, providing essential medical care to save lives. The experience gained through the program is expected to benefit the Syrian side, contributing to the provision of much-needed medical assistance in various forms in the coming period. The initiative of Saudi volunteers in the health sector reflects their commitment to making a positive impact on communities in need, exhibiting a distinguished international presence through their contributions in numerous countries.
