Mona, a young woman with multiple sclerosis, benefited from the wheelchair that was offered to her by SSSD in Tartous. Monitored by ORVs in the village of al-‘Aleiqa, she was referred to the Medical Assistance Program.

Mona lives with her 75-year-old mother. She was in dire need of a wheelchair to relieve her from her mobility issue, especially because her large size and overweight made it impossible for her mother to help her unassisted. When she received the wheelchair, she affirmed that it was for them akin to a “caregiver,” assisting them with mobility and meeting their needs on a regular basis.

The SSSD team, who communicate regularly with the family, responded to Mona’s request to take her out in a stroll on the wheelchair, just as she used to do before her illness. So, she went out accompanied by them, enjoying the scenery and expressing, time and again, her heartfelt gratitude to the SSSD team for the better-quality life they offered her.

Rand’s mother will not be worried anymore about her daughter’s frequent and sudden asthma attacks, especially during the night, after she was offered a nebulizer through the Medical Aid Programme. Henceforward, the mother can secure her daughter’s free treatment at home instead of depending on expensive specialized clinics and/or hurrying to the nearest hospital 40 km away from her place of residence.
It is noteworthy that the SSSD team had monitored the girl’s need through her participation in recreational activities held by SSSD at the Alton al-Jurd Community Centre, after which
she was referred to the Medical Assistance Programme.

Mrs. L.B is an IDP from Duma, her husband died and left her a 7-year old boy. The mother and her son live in a very cold room that does not receive sunray, which negatively affected the boy’s health triggering rheumatism.
Hoping to provide all of their basic needs, the mother worked very hard; however, she went through tough times. From time to time, she cleaned houses and building entrances, the money she made was barely enough to put bread on the table and pay the rent. She was unable to buy a heater to protect her family from the harsh, cold winter.
Feeling hopeless, and just when no one offered her help, she heard of Al-Salam Community Center, supervised by the Syrian Society for Social Development, and quickly submitted a from requesting a heater. The NGO immediately responded visiting the woman’s home and referring her to the General In-Kind Assistance program and was offered a gas/electrical heater.
The woman was surprised of SSSD’s fast response saying, “I was not expecting such a quick response. I am grateful for you all.”

Love and giving are our priorities. No one in the community should be left behind. Everyone should be at the heart of life. That is why the SSSD team, in cooperation with the UNHCR, offered medical assistance to IDP arrivals from East Ghouta who live currently in the temporary shelters of Adra al-Balad (Institute of Electricity, Faihaa Center).

As of April, customized medical assistance has been provided to 155 cases. Assistance included wheelchairs for the disabled (children and adults), blood pressure gauges, nebulizers, medical crutches (axillary, elbow, tripods), medical glasses, etc. Assessing people’s needs had been done beforehand by SSSD volunteers to monitor those in need of medical assistance, as well as case studies in order to provide the best service possible.

The impact of these relief actions was immediately tangible in the words and expressions of the beneficiaries. They freely expressed to what extent these services would improve their quality of life and enable them to access a certain measure of autonomy, to work and support themselves and their families.