It was just 8:30am
and already 115 F in Al Qurna, Iraq. Women dressed in black and men in long
robes comforted their malnourished children in the stifling and crowded
hospital corridors. Mothers sat on the floor nursing their babies. No matter
how long it took, they waited patiently for their turn to see a doctor.
Both patients and staff longed for cooler days.
Al Qurna is a town of about 350,000
people and situated north of Basra. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers meet
there claiming the place as the Garden of Eden. A special tree stands near
both rivers. The people of Al Qurna claim it as the tree of Adam.
However, the peaceful history changed as Saddam Hussein drained the fertile
marshes that the surrounding tribal people had relied on for thousands
of years. Poverty forced them to steal and loot to support their families.
Not only did this bring fear to the people, but it also destroyed the
infrastructure of the town.
Al Qurna’s hospital had been stripped of all its medical equipment,
air conditioners and furniture just two days before the British troops
arrived. Doctors hid the medicines in their homes. “In spite of
the conditions, we still came in daily to see our patients,” commented
Dr. Idris. “At the same time it was frustrating because we did not
have the equipment or the instruments. You can see for yourselves this
is not the way to operate a hospital.”
Families tried to keep their sick loved ones cool by taking turns to
fan them. Mothers wrapped their babies up in sheets, and let them sleep
on the cool floor of the pediatric ward. This all changed for the better
on June 15th. In partnership with a church in Raleigh, North Carolina,
Operation Blessing delivered twenty air conditioners and several refrigerators
to the hospital in Al Qurna and Basra! The refrigerators would store medicines.
As our staff was fitting the air conditioners in the hospital’s
hottest rooms, the manager said, “We have no words to express our
gratitude towards your organization. Many groups have asked us our needs
and have not returned. You have kept your word. Thank you for helping
our people.”
Over the last few months Operation Blessing partners have made a difference
in the lives of hundreds of Iraqi children and their families. There is
so much more to do for these people as they rebuild their culture and
grasp the meaning of true freedom. Our future plans include sending a
third volunteer medical team in mid July, but we can’t do it without
your help!
Iraqi Relief Phase 1: COMPLETED
Operation Blessing purchased and distributed 100 cylinders of
medical grade oxygen to hospitals in Basra.
In Basra and Al Qurna hospitals, two international medical volunteer
teams treated hundreds of patients as well as taught their Iraqi
counterparts the latest techniques.
Twenty air conditioners and several refrigerators were placed
in two hospitals, which had been severely looted during the war.
Our staff assisted in the evacuation of three seriously injured
Iraqi children. Two were flown to Austria and the other to the
United Arab Emirates for treatment.
Sizeable shipments of medicines and medical/dental supplies,
worth more than 3.4 million US dollars, were delivered to
Iraqi hospitals and clinics.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.
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