Psychological trauma and health system collapse deepen Syria's humanitarian crisis: UN

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported an alarming rise in psychological trauma cases amongst civilians across Syria, with children particularly affected. Hospitals are said to be "overwhelmed" as the country’s health system struggles to cope.

“Health partners reported significant psychological distress amongst civilians, with signs of trauma particularly pronounced in children,” OCHA stated, highlighting the acute need for mental health support in northeast Syria, a region heavily impacted by recent hostilities.

In Deir Az Zor, only one of the city's eight primary healthcare centres remains operational, as the others have been rendered non-functional due to severe shortages of staff, electricity, and fuel.

Meanwhile, in Manbij, nine health facilities, including a hospital and several primary health centres, were vandalised and looted, exacerbating the crisis.

OCHA also noted that in northwest Syria, 140 health facilities, including hospitals, blood banks, and dialysis centres, face critical funding shortages. The organisation has called for urgent financial support to prevent the complete collapse of Syria's healthcare system.