GENEVA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Recent hostilities in southern Syria have left over 210,000 people displaced and in need of urgent health services, with up to 160,000 displaced Syrians currently who are inaccessible to health partners, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Thursday.
The WHO has called for the protection of health facilities and increased access to southern Syria.
Dr. Michel Thieren, the WHO's regional emergencies director, has vowed not to let down of those who are waiting for humanitarian aid in Dara and Quneitra areas, both in southern Syria.
"We call on all parties to open the door to people in southern Syria and allow the safe delivery of medicines and medical items they need, and to grant severely injured patients safe passage to hospitals outside the area that can save their lives," Thieren said.
For now the majority of the displaced are exposed to soaring summer temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius and dusty desert winds, with limited access to clean drinking water, sanitation services, and adequate health care, according to the WHO.
In the past week, at least 15 Syrians, including 12 children, two women and one elderly man, have died due to dehydration and diseases transmitted through contaminated water, according to WHO figures.
However, with almost 75 percent of all public hospitals and health centers in Dara and Quneitra are closed or only partially functioning, the injured people have been left without emergency obstetric services and with limited access to medical care.
The WHO-supported blood bank has to be relocated after its original facility was destroyed, and continues to function with minimum capacity.
