The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in northwestern Syria—where 2.7 million people displaced from their homes are living in overcrowded camps and makeshift shelters where social distancing is nearly impossible.

Since then, the number of confirmed cases has ticked up. But MSF’s medical teams on the ground aren’t just worried about how many people are falling ill but also who: health care workers themselves. 

Doctors and nurses were scarce in Syria before the pandemic hit and losing those few remaining would be disastrous. “Just a few doctors temporarily put out of work and staying in isolation can make a huge difference when it comes to access to health [care],” said Cristian Reynders, our field coordinator on the ground. 

Doctors following the positive cases say testing and contact tracing is underway to attempt to isolate and prevent further spread of the virus. That’s why our teams are supporting testing and contact tracing efforts right now: Read the latest from Syria at doctorswithoutborders.org.

P.S. Our teams in Syria and around the world are doing everything they can to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak while keeping other essential medical services running. Will you make your first monthly gift right now to help deliver medical care where it’s needed most?