Rosa Crestani

WHO Emergencies Team Lead, WHO Field Presence Office in Gaziantep for cross-border operations to northwest Syria. Views &opinions are my own.

[WHO Syria @WHOSyria]

“These ambulances are not just vehicles – they are a critical link in the chain of survival,” says @rosacrestani, WHO Emergency Lead in Gaziantep.

Ambulances will be deployed to support the referral network supervised by the Directorate of Health and operated by @uossm.

[WHO Syria @WHOSyria]

🚑 In Idlib, five fully equipped ambulances funded by @KSRelief_EN were delivered through @WHO to strengthen #Syria’s referral system.

These ambulances will boost lifesaving services for thousands of patients.

🔗https://t.co/ek2quXt5F4

[WHO Syria @WHOSyria]

Mobile teams help people who can’t reach health centres. If they stop, children lose immunity & diseases spread: says a vaccinator in Idlib.

With @gavi & @gatesfoundation support, @WHO, @UNICEFinSyria & partners sustain 80+ immunization centres & teams in Idlib & Aleppo.

🎥⏬

[WHO Syria @WHOSyria]

3-year Lana grew up in a camp in Aleppo. When meningitis threatened her life, urgent care saved her.

With @eu_echo’s support, @WHO & health partners are strengthening Syria’s disease early warning system – helping detect & stop outbreaks early.

More: https://t.co/iLh9L9M54f

[WHO Syria @WHOSyria]

4-month-old Walid struggled to breathe. Thanks to care at Kurin Health Centre in Idlib, he recovered quickly.

With @UNCERF support, @WHO and @SAMS_Arabic provide pediatric care to 50+ children daily – easing the burden on families in rural Syria.

🔗 https://t.co/15ek0Dgkrp

[WHO Syria @WHOSyria]

In response to escalations in Sweida, 4 ambulances operated by @SAMS_Arabic from Idlib & Aleppo were sent to neighboring Dar’a.

With the Ministry of Health, partners transferred 85 patients. This referral system is supported by @WHO with funding from @eu_echo & @novonordiskfond.

[WHO Syria @WHOSyria]

Our generation got vaccines. We know how important they are: Majed, father of a newborn from Idlib

Health workers are helping families access routine vaccines & rebuild trust in #Syria
With the Ministry of Health, @UNICEF & partners, supported by @gavi.

https://t.co/TW9rbDiKV2

[Hand in Hand for Aid and Development @hihfaduk]

An interview with Rosa Crestani, Team Lead, WHO Field Presence –Gaziantep, who discusses her excitement about today's event, held in partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre (KSrelief),

[Rosa Crestani @rosacrestani]

Just back from Sarmada, where we received a new shipment of @WHO medical supplies - thanks to @KSRelief.

These will support 450,000 treatment courses across 45 facilities in NW #Syria, reaching 150,000 people.
Grateful to my team in Gaziantep & our warehouse partner @HIHFADuk!

[WHO Syria @WHOSyria]

Medical supplies funded by @KSRelief have arrived in Idlib – including surgical tools, maternal health kits & chronic disease meds, enough for 450,000 treatments.

They will support care for 150,000 people across 45 facilities in Idlib & Aleppo.

More⏩ https://t.co/qsya0aFXg9

[WHO Syria @WHOSyria]

The Ma’arrat An Nu’man Public Health Centre in south Idlib reopens, restoring care to a community rebuilding.

The rehabilitation has been possible thanks to @gavi's support. Over 1,800 consultations were provided in just the first week.

Read on: https://t.co/XljwdAjEHX

[WHO Syria @WHOSyria]

Yesterday, @WHO delivered 4 trucks carrying around 43.5 tonnes of essential medicines and supplies to northwest #Syria via the Bab Al-Hawa crossing.

The shipment will support over 60,000 medical treatments — helping sustain vital health services for people in need.

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

A Lifeline in Ruins in #Syria

Once a vital 200-bed hospital serving over 200,000 people in southern Idlib, Ma’arrat An Nu’man National Hospital has been out of service since 2020 — damaged by conflict and stripped by looting.

Now, as displaced families attempt to return, they find a city in ruins — and no functioning health facility in reach.

🔻 No emergency, maternal, or chronic care available
🔻 Just a few mobile teams are present to meet rising health needs

With support from @Gavi, a primary healthcare centre — not far from the old hospital site — is being rebuilt. Once open, it will help restore access to routine vaccines, maternal care, and basic outpatient services.

But needs still remain. WHO is calling for urgent support to rebuild the hospital — so people in Ma’arrat An Nu’man and nearby areas can once again access emergency care, inpatient treatment, and other health services close to home.

Access to healthcare is one of the first steps to rebuilding lives — and to a more stable, peaceful future.

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

In 2024, WHO received US$ 5.5 million from @UNCERF to strengthen its emergency health response in #Syria.

With this support, WHO reached 1.8 million people in conflict-affected areas across north-west and north-east Syria — including Aleppo, Idleb, Al-Hasakeh, and more.

The funding helped:
✔️ Deliver life-saving care and nutrition services
✔️ Support children with malnutrition
✔️ Equip health centres and hospitals
✔️ Train health workers on mental health, GBV & disease response

This support was vital to ensuring vulnerable communities could access the health care they needed.

https://t.co/lpZfv6SSpR

[WHO Syria @WHOSyria]

We're grateful for the generous US$3.49M donation from the @novonordiskfond to strengthen emergency health services across #Syria.
This support helps us expand trauma care, disease surveillance & essential health access—when it's needed most.
🔗https://t.co/l3qHoxJzhM

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

Clashes in #Syria’s coastal and central areas are deeply concerning and directly impacting people’s health, as health facilities and ambulances have been damaged.

@WHO is working to deliver emergency medicines and trauma supplies for the immediate care of the injured.

WHO urges all parties to respect and safeguard health services to ensure medical aid reaches those who need it most.

Peace is the best medicine.

https://t.co/c4J5fDmBu7

[Rosa Crestani @rosacrestani]

Things came full circle in Gaziantep! We welcomed @WHO_Turkiye WR @TasnimAtatrah & @WHOSyria WR a.i. Christina Bethke.

We looked at what’s needed to keep health services running in northwest Syria.

[Tasnim Atatrah @TasnimAtatrah]

While in Gaziantep—spent time with WR @WHOSyria, Christina Bethke & @rosacrestani, who has led cross-border operations to #Syria.
 
We discussed opportunities, challenges ahead & the office’s role in ensuring health services continue in NW Syria through this hopeful transition.

[Tasnim Atatrah @TasnimAtatrah]

7 years ago, I worked on the Syria cross-border response. Today, I return to Gaziantep as @WHO_Turkiye WR, reconnecting with colleagues old & new.

Spending the day with the team, I was reminded of the dedication behind this operation—a lifeline for millions.

#ProudToBeWHO

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

Grateful for @KSRelief’s vital support, helping @WHO deliver life-saving care—from insulin for diabetes patients to sustaining health services for millions in #Syria.

Beyond this, #KSRelief helps keep 50+ health facilities running in northwest Syria, strengthens the referral system, and provides essential medicines.

We are eager to further strengthen this partnership to help Syria recover and rebuild.

@WHOEMRO
@KSAmofaEN
@KSRelief_EN
@KSAMOFA

[Hans Kluge @hans_kluge]

Today, 11,000 kg of life-saving medical supplies from Italy arrived in Syria via Türkiye, through @WHO’s emergency office in Gaziantep – vital support to over 5 million people in Aleppo & Idlib.

These critical supplies will help doctors perform surgeries, manage medical emergencies, safely administer anesthesia & treat trauma-related injuries.

Grazie mille 🙏 to the 🇮🇹🇷 Italian Government & @aics_it for their generous support, and to 🇹🇷 Türkiye for ensuring smooth cross-border delivery.

We remain committed to working with Italy & Türkiye to ensure health services and supplies continue to reach those in need in #Syria.

@ItalyMFA_int @aics_it @cooperazione_it @MinisteroSalute @MFATurkiye @saglikbakanligi @ItalyinSyria @coopita_beirut