Sally Becker
September 21st, 2017-The Iraqi army launched an offensive to liberate Hawija, one of the last ISIS strongholds in Iraq. Food and water was running out so many children were suffering from malnutrition. Families were faced with the choice of remaining in the midst of the battle or risk being shot by snipers as they tried to escape.
Those who managed to flee had to travel through the minefields in order to cross the river to safety. Our team waited with an ambulance at the muster point to provide emergency medical aid for the children who were suffering from severe dehydration in temperatures of 35 degrees.
Our team were there ready to provide emergency treatment for the children.
Some of the children had been kidnapped by ISIS militants in 2014 and sold to local families. Too young to remember their real names or where they came from, its unlikely they will ever find their way home .
Paediatric Unit Dibis Camp
Our emergency paediatric unit at the screening camp in Dibis was open 24 hours per day. Some of the children had snake bites or scorpion stings or simply needed treatment for throat and ear infections, scabies or dehydration. We treated many babies who were suffering from severe malnutrition and worked alongside MedAir who provided vital paediatric medicines and equipment for our patients.
