Name: Shai Fund, Inc.
Price range: $

Project Overview

The Need

Communities in al-Qahtaniyah, a sub-district of Al-Qamishli in northeastern Syria, have long faced hardship due to ongoing conflict and instability. Located near the Syrian-Turkish border, the region is home to a diverse population—Christians, Yezidis, Druze, Kurds, and Arab tribes—which has endured repeated displacement due to Turkish airstrikes. Many are forced to flee and return multiple times, only to find their homes and infrastructure damaged.

Turkey’s military operations, under the pretext of creating a security zone, have severely weakened the region’s stability. Essential infrastructure, including water, electricity, and healthcare services, has been severely impacted, leading to shortages and rising costs of living. The nearest hospital, located in Al-Qamishli, is difficult to reach due to poor road conditions, and travel during airstrikes is especially dangerous. Without immediate medical care, minor injuries and illnesses can quickly become life-threatening.

The Solution

In response, Shai Fund established an Emergency Medical Center in al-Qahtaniyah to provide life-saving healthcare for all communities in the region, ensuring that those in need have access to urgent medical assistance. The clinic has become a vital healthcare hub, addressing both the ongoing medical needs of residents and the growing demand from newly displaced individuals who have fled to DAANES (Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria) in search of safety and stability. By reducing the risks associated with traveling through conflict zones for treatment, the clinic plays a critical role in protecting lives and improving health outcomes.

Since August 2023, the clinic has provided comprehensive medical services, including internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, X-ray imaging, laboratory diagnostics, and a pharmacy. It is also equipped with a well-functioning ambulance to transport critical patients to larger hospitals when necessary. Beyond emergency care, the clinic serves as a training center for young medical professionals, strengthening the local healthcare system and increasing long-term medical capacity in the region.

By expanding access to healthcare, this initiative saves lives, enhances community resilience, and improves overall health and stability for the people of DAANES, ensuring they receive essential medical care close to home.

Urgent Funding Needed

This clinic serves as a lifeline for thousands of patients, providing critical care close to home. Failing to maintain the clinic in this location will certainly lead to many fatal casualties. Funding is urgently required to keep the clinic operational. The project has already incurred expenses and relies heavily on additional funding to continue its services. The cessation of a significant portion of funding in December 2023 has placed the clinic at risk of closure, threatening to dismantle the progress made in providing essential healthcare to a vulnerable population.

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Project Details

In the first six months of the project from July 2022, both the premises and an ambulance were purchased. The building for the medical clinic was completely renovated. This first phase was completed between July and October of 2022.

The ambulance transports the most urgent emergencies, which are often heart attacks and strokes. Without this service, many would not have survived. The presence of a well-equipped ambulance is an integral part of the Syriac Cross Medical Clinic.

Since October 2022, the ambulance has been on call and therefore constantly in operational condition. The ambulance responds to at least 5 medical emergencies per week, about 20 per month. With the ambulance, the Syriac Cross Medical Clinic has become a vital medical facility for the region.

Between January and June of 2023, the second phase was completed. Solar panels were installed, medical equipment and supplies were procured, and doctors and nurses were hired so they could begin providing medical services to the community.

By August 2023 the clinic became fully operational with well-equipped medical staff.

The comprehensive facilities include various departments for internal medicine, paediatrics, and gynaecology. The medical clinic also has a special department for X-rays, laboratory analyses, and a pharmacy.

The medical clinic serves up to 30 patients a day. Since June 2023, the clinic team has treated 4,252 patients, among them 765 emergencies. According to capacity, these emergencies were treated on-site or transported by ambulance to a hospital in al-Qamishli or al-Hassaka.

On the 6th of August 2023, the official opening of the clinic took place and was attended by the Former Chair of USCIRF; Nadine Maenza, a renowned advocate for international religious freedom. Nadine Maenza acknowledged the pivotal role the clinic plays in meeting the healthcare needs of a substantial number of citizens.

We are now in need of additional funding to maintain the clinic and keep the various medical departments open.

The Emergency Medical Center is now focused on maintaining its operations while expanding its capacity to serve the community effectively. This includes continuing and enhancing medical services in internal medicine, paediatrics, gynaecology, radiology, and laboratory analysis. Additionally, the clinic aims to build capacity by training and retaining local medical professionals, ensuring it remains a reliable healthcare provider in the region.

To achieve operational sustainability, the center is actively working to secure funding to cover essential costs such as salaries for medical staff, fuel for the ambulance, and other operational expenses. This financial support is critical to maintaining the clinic’s ability to provide vital healthcare services to the community.