September 3, 2024
Gaza: Humanitarian Zones continue to shrink as violence escalates
In the heart of Northwest Syria, where the echoes of war have long replaced the laughter of children, stands a small, crowded camp—a temporary home for thousands of displaced families. Among them is Fatima, a 65-year-old woman whose life has been shaped by resilience and hope despite the relentless hardships she has faced.
Fatima’s life was once filled with the simple joys of motherhood, a time when her home was alive with the warmth of family and the fragrance of freshly baked bread. But those days have become distant memories, overshadowed by the brutal conflict that tore through her homeland. Displaced from her home, she now lives with her son, his wife, and their three children in a modest caravan in the Wifaq camp. It is far from the comfort she once knew, but it is a refuge—a place where they can at least try to rebuild their shattered lives.
For 27 years, Fatima has battled diabetes and hypertension, conditions that have grown more difficult to manage with each passing year. A year ago, she suffered a cerebral infarction, leaving her with left-sided hemiparesis, a condition that has only deepened her struggles. The simple act of walking has become a painful endeavor, with her right foot now plagued by weeping ulcers, a consequence of her diabetes.
Despite her suffering, Fatima has not sought medical help for months. The rising cost of medications and her family’s dire financial situation made it impossible for her to continue her treatment. Her health deteriorated, but she remained silent, fearing that her illness would only add to the burdens her family already bore. Then one day, hope arrived at her door in the form of a community health team from Dünya Doktorları (DDD)/Doctors of the World Türkiye’s Kelly clinic, supported by the Tzu Chi Foundation. They were on a field visit, offering services to the camp’s residents. When Fatima heard of their presence, she knew this might be her last chance to reclaim her health.
At the clinic, Fatima was warmly received by the nursing staff, who treated her with a kindness that felt almost unfamiliar after so many years of hardship. Her vital signs were taken, revealing dangerously high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels. The nurses gently cleaned and dressed the ulcers on her foot, offering her advice on diabetic foot care.
Days turned into weeks, and when Fatima returned to the clinic, the transformation was remarkable. Her ulcers had healed completely, her blood sugar and blood pressure levels had stabilized, and her fear of losing her toes had dissipated. The weight of her suffering began to lift, replaced by a newfound strength.
With tears in her eyes, Fatima expressed her gratitude to the medical staff and DDD/DotW Türkiye. She was overjoyed by the healing of her ulcers, which had caused her so much fear and anxiety. Their care had not only healed her body but had also reignited a sense of dignity and hope that had been eroded by years of war and displacement.