Bahrain will donate $2 million to rebuild three schools and a hospital in Syria damaged in last month’s earthquake.In addition, 40 tonnes of relief supplies will be despatched to the Arab nation in the coming weeks, said Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) secretary general and National Committee for Supporting Earthquake Victims in Syria and Türkiye chief executive Dr Mustafa Al Sayed.

The deadly February 6 earthquake killed more than 5,900 people in Syria, while in Türkiye the death toll stands at more than 44,000.“We have just returned from Syria where we met officials, as well as members of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society to discuss Bahrain offering humanitarian aid,” said Dr Al Sayed at a Press conference which was held at the RHF building in Seef District.During the Bahrain delegation’s four-day visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the kingdom and Syria on not only rebuilding schools to provide top-quality education but also provide hospitals with much-needed equipment.

“In the past, we have built schools in Syria using portacabins, thanks to the generosity and support of His Majesty King Hamad,” said Dr Al Sayed.“We have helped provide educational support to young Syrians affected by war in the past, and have also provided them with scholarships to top universities in the US.“We will continue to do the same for those affected by the earthquake.”More than $3.7m was raised to provide aid for earthquake victims in Türkiye and Syria, during a live Solidarity Day telethon broadcast on Bahrain TV on February 17.Meanwhile, the GDN reported yesterday that the kingdom will be sending a group of highly-skilled doctors to Syria to treat the sick and injured people affected by the earthquake.“We have 15 doctors who are ready to go at a moment’s notice” said Dr Al Sayed.

“We are in constant contact with the Syrian Medical Association regarding the needs of the country and the people of Syria,” he added.He urged hospitals in Bahrain to donate used medical equipment such as MRI units and X-ray machines to Syria.“Syria has not received new medical equipment since 2010; there are only three working MRI units throughout the country.”Dr Al Sayed also said that the RHF hoped to send supplies and aid to Türkiye as well.Health Ministry Under-Secretary Dr Waleed Al Manea lauded the speed with which Bahrain was able to collect aid for Syria, stating that the country was among the first ones to do so.“However, it is important that the aid is not temporary, and that we can provide long-term relief to the people in Syria, which is why medical equipment is crucial,” he said.

Bahrain Medical Society chairman Dr Amer Al Derazi pledged to continue to help the sick and the injured.“We will definitely go back there very soon, this time for up to a week, and we will do everything we can to help the people there,” he added.nader@gdnmedia.bh

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