The SRTF Participates in the Doha Conference on “Transitioning from Medical Relief to Development & Reconstruction in the Syrian Crisis”

Doha - Friday, 25 March 2016 – The Syria Recovery Trust Fund (SRTF) participated in the “Transitioning from Medical Relief to Development and Reconstruction in the Syrian Crisis” conference, which was organized by the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) and hosted by Qatar’s Red Crescent in Doha, Qatar, from 23 to 25 March 2016.

Representatives of a number of relief and development organizations attended the event. These included, SAMS, Qatar Red Crescent, the Syrian Expatriate Medical Association (SEMA), the Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM). Representatives of the Syrian Interim Government, the United Nations, and other international and national humanitarian organizations active  in the field of health and medical support also attended the conference.

During the first session of the conference, Mr Lakis Papastavrou, Chief of Operations of the Syria Recovery Trust Fund (SRTF), presented an overview of the SRTF structure; an operational summary, including a briefing on the SRTF  portfolio in the health sector; as well as on-going projects and projects in the pipeline. The SRTF’s role in the recovery of and support for the health sector was explained  and discussed. The discussion focused on rehabilitation of public health facilities, supply of medical equipment and consumables for essential medical treatments and support for emergency services by supplying ambulances and funding directly the salaries of staff involved in project implementation.

So far, the SRTF has 8 active projects worth Euro 8,448,550 in the health sector inside Syria. It also has  10 other projects worth Euro 12,371,500 under development. Hence, the total value of the 18 health sector projects inside Syria amount to Euro 20,820,050.

Consistent with the theme of the conference, the SRTF presentation underlined the importance of improving safety and security in hospitals operating in project selected locations. It has also emphasized the  importance of enhancing medical services by providing new equipment and securing the availability of essential medications and consumables as means to build the capacity needed for  transitioning from relief to reconstruction. The SRTF approach, which includes building resilience in the primary health care services through adequate availability of the necessary equipment and dedicated facilities, was illustrated comprehensively to the participants.

The conference organizers and participants expressed appreciation for the SRTF contribution and acknowledged that the fund’s current and pipeline interventions are key to expediting recovery and improvement of health services inside Syria.

For information on previous SRTF interventions in health sector, visit:

http://www.srtfund.org/categories/7_health

Media outlets may contact:

communications@srtfund.org