The newborn child in the Syrian earthquake zone, who was still hanging from his late mother’s umbilical cord and whose father and siblings all died under the rubble, is currently being cared for by his doctor.
“My wife breastfeeds little Aja,” said attending physician and hospital manager Attija Chalid of the dpa news agency on Friday. “First of all, my priority is for her to get better.” So far, it is unclear who will take the child later. Inquiries have been made by distant relatives, but nothing concrete yet. The decision rests with the authorities. According to the doctor, who has a four-month-old daughter and a three-year-old son, the girl has lost most of her close relatives.
Baby comes from a refugee family
The baby’s family lived in a town near the Turkish border that was hit hard by Monday’s earthquakes. The family had previously fled the Dair al-Saur province in the east. In the media, Aja is also referred to as a “miracle baby”. A neighbor is said to have taken the hypothermic and dust-covered girl to the hospital in Afrin. The clinic staff then gave her her name.
According to the latest official information, 18,342 deaths have occurred on the Turkish side so far. In northern Syria, 3,377 deaths were counted on Thursday evening. The total death toll rose to 21,719. The rescue work is complicated by the icy weather, which also threatens the survivors, who have to endure in makeshift shelters or even outside. Meanwhile, international aid gained momentum. The World Bank promised Turkey 1.78 billion dollars (about 1.66 billion euros). The US announced an initial aid package of $85 million for Turkey and Syria. It is now mainly about food, shelter and emergency medical aid.
Consequences of the civil war complicate aid in Syria
Aid deliveries are hampered by the destroyed infrastructure and adverse weather conditions. In Syria, there is also the politically difficult situation: the disaster area in the country of the civil war is divided into areas controlled by Damascus and areas controlled by anti-government and predominantly Islamist militias.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
