Urgent plea from medics and White Helmets struggling to save lives in northwest Syria

We are rescue workers, medics and humanitarians struggling right now to save our people from relentless Syrian regime and Russian airstrikes. In eight years, we have never witnessed such ferocious attacks on Idlib. We are devastated that the world has turned its back on us.

We fear that the full-scale military assault we have been dreading has begun. In the past 12 days alone, 122 civilians have been killed, 22 of them children. 13 hospitals and medical facilities have been bombed with patients still being treated inside.* On Sunday, three hospitals were destroyed in the space of just three hours. Kafranbel Surgical Hospital alone was bombed four times with only three to five minutes between each airstrike. Injured and sick, our patients had to run for their lives, some of them with their IVs still attached.

Already, one White Helmet volunteer has died in a double-tap strike when an airplane bombed a house and then circled back to bomb the people that had gathered to help. Separately, one of the White Helmets’ main warehouses was targeted and dozens of ambulances as well excavation vehicles used to lift people out of the rubble were destroyed. We feel responsible for the communities we serve and increasingly helpless with every blow to our capacity to save lives.

Time and time again we’ve witnessed attacks by the Syrian regime and Russia on hospitals and civil defence centres ahead of major escalations. We’ve seen it in Aleppo, East Ghouta, Daraa, and elsewhere. After those offensives, residents were forcibly displaced to Idlib — this time the people of Idlib have nowhere left to flee. With the Turkish borders closed to them, people are sleeping in the open air, without shelter.

The areas we are operating in are covered by a Russian and Turkish demilitarisation agreement that is supposed to protect civilians. But civilians are not being protected, they are being hunted. The whole time we are pulling survivors from the rubble, they are screaming the names of their children or parents or siblings and asking us if they are alive. In ambulances and in hospitals, we have the terrible job of informing them that their loved ones are dead. Many end up wishing they hadn’t made it. We are physically and emotionally exhausted and worry that the worst is yet to come.

To humans everywhere, we ask you to bear witness and spread the word about what’s happening in Idlib. Share our letter and send it to your politicians and journalists you might know.

To the guarantors of the demilitarisation agreement and members of the UN Security Council, we hold you accountable for every civilian life lost and demand you uphold your responsibility to stop the bombs.

To donor governments, we ask you to immediately allocate funding to allow the organisations on the ground to respond to the humanitarian crisis.

Signed,

Scroll down for a full list of signers. The Syria Campaign has chosen to omit last names and professions of signers for security reasons. Journalists who would like to confirm details can contact [email protected]

Take Action

It’s up to us to act on the plea of doctors, nurses and rescue workers and spread the word about what’s happening in Idlib.

1. Contact your representatives

Contact your representatives, forward them this letter, and ask them what they’ll do to save 4.5 million civilians in northwest Syria. Please forward any replies to [email protected] so we can follow up. 

2. Spread the word

Share the open letter from doctors and rescue workers on Facebook:

Tweet the open letter:

3. Donate

To help replace life-saving equipment deliberately destroyed in the airstrikes, donate to the White Helmets now.

4. Tweet 

Tweet the Russian Foreign Ministry and let them know we’re demanding an end to their bombing civilians:

Tweet the Turkish Foreign Ministry to uphold the demilitarisation agreement:

Tweet the US Secretary of State to act for Idlib:

Signers

1. Aisha, Maarat Nauman
2. Amal, Khan Sheikhoun
3. Bilal, Idlib
4. Bakri, Idlib
5. Narmeen, Talamans, Maarat Nauman
6. Khadija, Talamans, Maarat Nauman
7. Dahouk, Talamans, Maarat Nauman
8. Rahaf, Darat Izza, Western Rural Aleppo
9. Ahmad, Darat Izza, Western Rural Aleppo
10. Batoul, Hreitan, Northern Rural Aleppo
11. Maria, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo
12. Omar, Qurqania
13. Shaza, Kherbat Al Joz
14. Omar, Idlib
15. Boushra, Aleppo
16. Hiyam,Talamans, Maarat Nauman
17. Fouad, Anadan
18. Azza, Kaljibrin
19. Mustafa, Idlib
20. Abdulsater, Talamans, Maarat Nauman
21. Banaa, Jisr El Shughour
22. Hassan, Saraqeb
23. Hamza, Idlib
24. Ziad, Khan Sheikhoun
25. Amal, Aleppo
26. Hatem, Maarat Misreen
27. Yehya, Idlib
28. Maen, Idlib
29. Walid Quryat Shanan
30. Leith, Saraqeb
31. Sobhi, Ariha
32. Mosaab, Al Tamanah
33. Abdullatif, Al Dana, Idlib
34. Nour, Talamans, Maarat Nauman
35. Hassan, Killi
36. Samer, Darkoush, Jisr El Shughour
37. Jamal, Al Dana, Idlib
38. Mohammad, Maarat Nauman
39. Tarek, Balyoun, Idlib
40. Hassan, Tel Toukan
41. Majd, Sarmada
42. Ahmad, Jisr El Shughour
43. Radi, Idlib
44. Bassam, Kafr Takharim
45. Al Hakem, Deir Hassan
46. Moataz, Maaret Hurmah,
47. Amin, Sfuhen
48. Ammar, Sarmada
49. Abdalwaheb, Jisr El Shughour
50. Abdalrazzak, Idlib
51. Nadim, Salqin
52. Amer, Jisr El Shughour
53. Mohammad, Ariha
54. Abdullatif, Binnish
55. Moaz, Maarat Nauman
56. Mohammad Faisal, Al Ghadafa
57. Houssam, Bidama
58. Abdulkader, Sarmeen
59. Tharwat, Kaljibrin
60. Jamil, Aleppo
61. Mohammad, Khan Sheikhoun
62. Mohammad, Kafranbel
63. Ahmad, Sarmada
64. Dr Ahmad, Atareb
65. Dr Sobhi, Idlib
66. Dr Yasir El
67. Dr Anwar, Azaz
68. Dr Badie, Taftanaz
69. Fadel, Kafr Zeita
70. Dr Majd, Azaz
71. Abo Abdo, Idlib
72. Ghaydan, Al Hawash
73. Omar, Deir Al Sharqi, Maarat Nauman
74. Yasser, Kafr Nabuda
75. Dr. Mahmood, Lataminah
76. Ahmad, Kafr Zeita
77. Adel Khaled, Qalaat Al Madiq, Hama
78. Ahmad, Al Dana
79. Dr Rashed, Northern Rural Aleppo
80. Ahmad, Rural Hama
81. Dr Mohammad, Hama
82. Safwan, Kafr Zeita
83. Dr Abdulmonem, Lataminah
84. Dr Abdulraheem, Al Bata
85. Mohammad, Idlib
86. Abdulrazzak, Idlib
87. Hassan, Atmeh
88. Anas, Kfarlucine
89. Issa, Lataminah
90. Luay, Termanin
91. Walaa, Hama, Madiq
92. Wasim, Aleppo Suburbs
93. Abdul Azizi, Afrin
94. Abdullah, Idlib
95. Badieaa, Hama, Madiq
96. Mustafa, Marrat Hurma
97. Abdullah, Kafrnbouda
98. Saher, Ehsem
99. Mahmoud, Kfarnbouda
100. Mohammad, Idlib
101. Khaled, Ghadfeh
102. Saddam, Maarat Naasan
103. Nour, Al Frerieh
104. Ghazzan, Al Frerieh
105. Abdelaziz, Al Frerieh
106. Ahmad
107. Omar, Afrin
108. Khaled, Al Zerbeh
109. Ahmad, Idlib
110. Baraka, Muraat Numman
111. Dr Ahmad, Al Zerbeh
112. Abdo, Al Zerbeh
113. Khaled, Al Zerbeh
114. Mariam, Al Zerbeh
115. Razan, Al Zerbeh
116. Khaled, Aleppo
117. Assaad, Aleppo
118. Dr Hassan, Hama
119. Dalal, Al Zerbeh
120. Raeda, Western Rural Aleppo
121. Fadi, Al Lataminah
122. Mohammad, Idlib
123. Rasha, Al Ramadiah
124. Dr Mohammad, Idlib
125. Hassan, Aleppo
126. Shireen, Qalaat Mudiq
127. Nidal, Taramlah
128. Youssef, Azaz
129. Halimah, Al Frerieh
130. Shadi, Hweir Al Eis, Aleppo
131. Tamer, Al Zerbeh
132. Hael, Taramlah
133. Shaza, Harem
134. Dr Moahmmad, Al Atareb
135. Dr Marwa, Ariha
136. Dr Mohammad, Hour
137. Abu Mohammad, Idlib
138. Khaled, Al Jibeen
139. Dr Mohammad, Idlib province
140. Samar, Deir Al Sharqi
141. Youma, Atmeh
142. Mohammad, Qalaat Al Madiq
143. Walaa, Northern Rural Hama
144. Ahlam, Atmeh
145. Omar, Atmeh
146. Ahmad, Al Nairab, Idlib
147. Khaled, Khan Sheikhoun
148. Mustafa, Jisr Shughour
149. Nassif, Rural Aleppo
150. Dr Dureid, Idlib
151. Maher, Qalaat Madiq
152. Manal, Idlib
153. Ahmad, Idlib
154. Moab, Haas
155. Abdulqader, Idlib
156. Mustafa, Kfar Nuran
157. Abdulaziz, Harem
158. Rasheed, Al Hanboushiyah
159. Abdullah, Khan Sheikhoun
160. Adel, Al Maouzrah
161. Mohammad, Kfar Nabuda
162. Marwa, Atmeh
163. Khaled, Kafr Sijnah
164. Alaa, Kafranbel
165. Abdulkader, Khan Sheikhoun
166. Khaled, Kfar Nabdula
167. Mohammad, Ariha
168. Atoush, Kafr Zeita
169. Assaad, Idlib
170. Ahmad, Marea
171. Ahmad, Idlib
172. Samer, Aleppo
173. Samia, Idlib
174. Abdullah Kafr Zeita
175. Fady, Atmeh
176. Amani, Atmeh
177. Amneh, Atmeh
178. Jihad, Atmeh
179. Rifaat, Al Ghab
180. Dr Manahl, Kafranbel
181. Reem, Ariha
182. Nazih, Idlib
183. Nidal, Southern Rural Idlib
184. Salah, Atmeh
185. Dr Matouf, Atmeh
186. Ahmad, Atmeh
187. Omar, Atmeh
188. Abdulsater, Haas
189. Mahmoud, Saraqeb
190. Rami, Kafr Sijnah
191. Raghad, Atmeh
192. Ola, Ariha
193. Jala, Ariha
194. Ayoush, Atmeh
195. Atimad, Al Lataminah
196. Ahmad, Haas
197. Mohammad, Atmeh
198. Ahmad, Kfar arouk
199. Hend, Ariha
200. Zaquan, Atmeh
201. Adnan, Rural Hama
202. Aya, Ariha
203. Hassan, Idlib
204. Zaquan, Ariha
205. Saad, Idlib
206. Mohammad, Maaret Dibseh
207. Mustafa, Qah, Idlib
208. Abdulrazek, Kfar Nabuda
209. Qusay, Kfar Sijnah
210. Mahmoud, Ariha
211. Rola, Ariha
212. Rabiaa, Atmeh
213. Khaled, Idlib
214. Ahmad, Idlib
215. Ezzedine, Hama
216. Osama, Maarat Nauman
217. Abdul Kareem, Idlib
218. Khaled, Atmeh
219. Hassan, Saraqb
220. Omar, Maarat Nauman
221. Wessal, Idlib
222. Moussa, Atmeh
223. AA, Idlib
224. Dr Houssam, Haas
225. Rama, Maarat Nauman
226. Abdulhay, Atmeh
227. Houssam, Idlib
228. Moaed, Kfar Takhareem
229. Bilal, Idlib City
230. Houssam, Idlib
231. Abdulkader, Al Atareb
232. Asmahan, Salqeen
233. Mahmoud, Kafr Zeita
234. Zakaria, Idlib
235. Abdullah, Hama
236. Naji, Ariha
237. Dibo, Idlib
238. Abdulkareem, Kelli
239. Hassan, Sarmada
240. Fadi, Kafranbel
241. Mohammad, Kelli
242. Ahmad, Idlib
243. Omar, Sarmada
244. Ahmad, Kfar Dariyan
245. Yasser, Kfar Dariyan
246. Ghassoun, Al Atareb
247. Mohammad, Idlib
248. Abddulrazzak, Maarat Hermeh
249. Najdat, Idlib
250. Fatema, Kafr Zeita
251. Nidal, Marat Nauman
252. Neamat, Maarat Nauman
253. Naama, Kfar Nabdula
254. Mohammad, Tarmaneen
255. Mohammad, Idlib
256. Hassan, Kfar Nabuda
257. Ayman, Idlib City
258. Louay, Abeen
259. Sobhi, Maarat Misreen
260. Abdulrahman, Kafr Zeita
261. Adnan, Kafr Zeita
262. Mayada, Kafr Zeita
263. Moataz, Idlib
264. Qutaiba, Sarmada
265. Youssef
266. Manar, Marat Misrin
267. Maher, Latamneh
268. Mohamed, Kafr Zeita
269. Mohamed, Mhambel
270. Fatima, Atmah
271. Abdullah, west Aleppo countryside
272. Ghiath, Hota
273. Asmaa, Kafr Zeita
274. Ahmad, Atareb
275. Mouna, Kafr Zeita
276. Salah, Darat Azza
277. Louay, Idlib
278. Mohamed, Marat Misrin
279. Ahmad, Atareb
280. Faisal, Urem
281. Ahlam, Idlib
282. Majd, Marat Misrin
283. Ahmad, Atareb
284. Munzer, Babka
285. Fatima, Kafrouma
286. Safa, Idlib
287. Ramadan, Aleppo
288. Ahmad, Aleppo
289. Fidaa, Atareb
290. Samiha, Idlib
291. Ahmad, Marea
292. Mouna, Idlib
293. Ahmad, Darat Azza
294. Hasam, Urem
295. Abdulnasser, Sarmada
296. Jouhayna, Kah
297. Ramia, Has
298. R. H., Idlib
299. Mahmoud, Anjara
300. Aya, Ariha
301. Reem, Kafranbel
302. Hamdo, Idlib
303. Mariam, Atamh
304. Ibtisam, Deir Hassan
305. Hasan, Kafranbel
306. Ahmad, Kelli
307. Batoul, Kafr Zeita
308. Mohamed, Idlib
309. Mehyo, Kafr Nouran
310. Mohamed, Idlib
311. Houda, Kafr Nouran
312. Bilal, Aleppo
313. Fatima, Atmah
314. Bassam, Urem
315. Mohamed, Kafr Zeita
316. Mohamed, Kafr Zeita
317. Safa, Saraqib
318. Aya, Maarat Numan
319. Hasan, Atmah
320. Ghassan, Idlib
321. Mohamed, Has
322. Hayat, Has
323. Akram, Sarmada
324. Abdullah, Marat Misrin
325. Mohamed, Atareb
326. Younes, Atareb
327. Abdullah, west Aleppo countryside
328. Zainab, Idlib
329. Moutaz, Jabal al-Zawiya
330. Doha, Maarat Numan
331. Shiraz, Idlib
332. Hamed, Idlib
333. Ammar, Basartoun
334. Marie, Sarmada
335. Hussein, Maarat Numan
336. Ahmad, Aleppo
337. Ahmad, al-Bara
338. Boushra, Ariha
339. Abdulaziz, Maarat Numan
340. Sumaya, Idlib
341. Wisal, Ariha
342. Mariam, Ihsim
343. Rouhiya, Jabal al-Zawiya
344. Aya, Ariha
345. Safa, Ariha
346. Mahmoud, Aleppo
347. Mohamed, Harbanoush
348. Dalal, Idlib
349. Nahla, Saraqib
350. Aminah, Ihsim
351. Ikhlas, Ariha
352. Samer, Kastoun
353. Alaa, Kafr Nabuda
354. Ahmad, Marea
355. Dr. Wisam, Marea
356. Fares, Kafranbel
357. Mohamed, Kafranbel
358. Mohamed, Kafranbel
359. Shadi, Kafranbel
360. Dr. Ahmad, Kafranbel
361. Raed, Kafranbel
362. Ali, Kafranbel
363. Ahmad, Kafranbel
364. Yaman, Kafranbel
365. Abd, Idlib
366. Firas, Kafranbel
367. Nafea, Has
368. Mohamed, Kafranbel
369. Dr. Mustafa, Maarat Numan
370. Mohamed, Kafranbel
371. Ahed, Kafranbel
372. Ahmad, Kafranbel
373. Mustafa, Jabal al-Zawiya
374. Yousef, Kafranbel
375. Ahmad, Idlib
376. Mohamed, Aleppo
377. Luqman, Kafranbel
378. Hassan, Kafrouma
379. Maan, Has
380. Dr. Mohamed, Kafranbel
381. Ahmad, Kafranbel
382. Nazeer, Kafranbel
383. Khaled, Kafranbel
384. Zubayda, Kafranbel
385. Mustafa, Khan Sheikhoun
386. Younes, Kafranbel
387. Abdulmonem, Daret Azza
388. Samer, Ibzimo
389. Nour, Daret Azza
390. Mohamed, Sahhara
391. Dr. Ahmad, Salqeen
392. Hajmat, Atmah
393. Abdulrahman, Atareb
394. Dr. Tajeddin, Tamanaa
395. Dr. Munzer, Idlib

 

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