Many of you supported T1International’s Insulin for Syrians campaign last year, when we raised funds for our partner organisation, the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) to ensure that people living with diabetes amidst the crisis in Syria would be able to have access to insulin and basic supplies.

At the time, we were told that at least 2,000 people with diabetes in Syria were in need. It is likely that the number has only grown since that time, and it has become increasingly difficult to ensure that aid gets into parts of the country safely.

We recently had the chance to communicate with Dr. Ossama Barakat, a Consultant Physician & Endocrinologist. Dr. Barakat is Syrian and spends time supporting Syrian children with diabetes. He echoed the sentiments of the SAMS team regarding the struggle for continued access to insulin during the war.

When speaking about the Syrian healthcare system, Dr. Barakat noted, “It used to be one of the best in Middle East, and has suffered due to doctors leaving the country, lack of local and imported medications, lack of power supply, and hospital destruction.”

Several sources have emphasised that the government previously provided all insulin free to patients, but that is no longer possible. There are no insulin production factories in Syria now, and patients must search on the black market, which is expensive and dangerous. Many resort to taking expired insulin because it is all they can find at nearby pharmacies.

Dr. Barakat estimated that around 80% of people in need of insulin in Syria are struggling to get it. He noted that in addition to the lack of insulin, there is limited power supply to keep medicines cool and very few doctors with specialist diabetes expertise.

The good news is that SAMS recently updated T1International about the use of the £9,388 ($12,500) raised during the Insulin for Syrians campaign. They told us that in January, 2,400 vials of insulin were purchased with the money raised by T1International supporters.