German association donates medical supplies to North-East Syria

For the autonomous areas of northern and eastern Syria, FFP2 masks are a rare commodity in the face of a comprehensive embargo. The region is struggling with the Corona pandemic, and vaccines are scarce. The German association Städtefreundschaft [City Friendship] Frankfurt-Kobanê e.V. launched a successful fundraising campaign for northeast Syria. On October 19, the initiative was able to hand over medical supplies from Frankfurt to the Kurdish Red Crescent (Heyva Sor a Kurd), which will be used in the six Covid clinics.

“Among them was a donation from the city of Frankfurt am Main, consisting of 120,000 respiratory protection masks,” the city friendship association announced Monday. In addition, there were another 25,000 respirators, as well as 30,000 disposable gloves and 1,700 protective coveralls from private donors, according to the statement. “The medical staff at Covid hospitals needs about 2,000 FFP2 masks each month. We are pleased that our donation can help here, although much larger quantities would be needed to supply the entire population,” the association’s statement said.

Loading in Frankfurt. With them: Stefan Majer (first from left) and Sylvia Weber (fourth from left).

Dramatic shortage of protective materials

Because of the embargo on northeastern Syria, there is a dramatic shortage of protective materials such as respirators. “In a situation where, due to the unfair international distribution of vaccines, vaccination of the population is far from being thought of, the wearing of respirators remains one of the most important measures to protect against Corona infection,” said the association.

On behalf of the Kurdish Red Crescent organization Heyva Sor a Kurd, the association thanked the city of Frankfurt, especially the head of the education department, Sylvia Weber and the head of the health department, Stefan Majer, for their dedicated support of this fundraising campaign. It is hoped that such practical solidarity will help deepen the connection between the city of Frankfurt and Rojava. “However, in view of the imminent invasion of Rojava by Turkey and its jihadist allies, we also expect political support from all those who no longer accept Turkey’s attacks on this exemplary democracy project in violation of international law,” the association’s board said.

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