AFNS funding centralised blood bank to meet post-earthquake needs

In response to the needs caused by the devastating earthquakes in February 2023, the Aid Fund for Northern Syria (AFNS) partly redirected US$24m initially allocated for its first funding Allocation and programmed an additional US$4m to provide crucial support for the emergency response.

One of the projects allocated funding was the establishment of a centralised blood bank in the northwest of Syria. The AFNS partner WATAN was awarded a grant to connect nine blood banks with 41 hospitals and health facilities.

This initiative enabled the provision of blood to over 1,250 people who were injured in the earthquake. Since then, WATAN has continued supplying 5,000 blood bags monthly to hospitals within its network, with the project as a whole reaching 29,000 beneficiaries by June 2023. The centralised blood bank also allows for real-time tracking and regulation of blood product availability across different regions. To address shortages in blood donations, WATAN is using AFNS funding to procure four mobile blood banks.

WATAN's proactive measures include replenishing 400 contingency kits, centralising the blood supply chain to enhance regional adaptability, reactivating the Ariha blood bank to alleviate strain on other centres, optimising distribution through a dedicated app, offering support to blood banks facing financial constraints, and establishing a dedicated quality office to ensure safe transfusions.

Watch the video to gain to more insight into this project.