A delegation from the Red Crescent and the Red Cross in several Arab countries visited Syria, marking the first visit by this delegation since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, with the previous visit taking place about a year ago.

On Thursday, January 23, the delegation met with Dr. Zuhair Karat, Director of the Planning and International Cooperation Directorate in Syria, as reported by Enab Baladi‘s correspondent.

Dr. Karat stated that the purpose of the delegation’s visit was to confirm ongoing coordination with the Syrian Red Crescent and the Ministry of Health in various sectors, assess the urgent needs of the Syrian people in general, and work with the international Red Crescent and Red Cross organizations to meet these needs.

Regarding the Ministry of Health, the Syrian side informed the delegation about the urgent needs of the Ministry and the health situation across various regions of Syria.

Dr. Karat added that there are promises for the arrival of specialized medical devices and equipment to develop hospitals in the upcoming period.

The delegation included the Secretary-General of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization, Abdullah bin Sahl bin Saud Al-Otaibi, Hazem al-Turk from the secretariat of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization, as well as Dr. Maha Barjas, the Secretary-General of the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Organization, Dr. Yasin Abbas, the head of the Iraqi Red Crescent Organization, Abdullah bin Mudrik bin Abdullah al-Ruwaili, an advisor from the Saudi Red Crescent Organization, Dr. Younis Nimer Younis, the head of the Palestinian Red Crescent Organization, and Ghassan Hanna, the disaster manager from the Lebanese Red Cross.

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, various international and regional organization delegations have visited Syria, meeting with officials from the new administration.

The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, was part of the delegation that visited Damascus and met with the head of the interim government of Damascus, Mohammed al-Bashir, on January 6, along with the President of the Syrian Red Crescent, Hazem Baqla, members of the Association of Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP), and the Director of Political Affairs in Aleppo, Saad Nasaan.

Earlier, Spoljaric stated to Enab Baladi that the main objective of her visit to Damascus was “to communicate with the new authorities” and explore how to expand our humanitarian assistance “given the immense needs in Syria that require substantial support.”

Spoljaric added that the international community must also ensure sustainable support to help Syria recover and rebuild, as the humanitarian needs are enormous and will require humanitarian organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross to expand their operations throughout the country.