AGP Executive Report

Syria Health & Care: EU support for Syria’s health services is highlighted as the bloc provides €12 million to back care delivery. Public Health & Access: In Iowa, refugees say SNAP cuts are making food access harder, with one resident comparing the feeling to being “back again in Syria.” Medical Capacity in Conflict Zones: Barzani Charity Foundation reports medical services for dozens of displaced returnees in Afrin, treating patients after families returned home. Health, Security & Violence: A shooting in Minneapolis left multiple people dead and wounded, including officers, underscoring how sudden violence can strain emergency response systems. Health Policy & Language in Syria: PYD officials criticize a Syrian Interim Government education decision that reduces Kurdish-language classes to three hours weekly, warning it undermines scientific and medical instruction. Health & Development: A major New Damascus project is announced with plans including a 300-bed hospital and education facilities, pointing to future health infrastructure tied to reconstruction investment.

Nuclear Transparency: The IAEA says it found about 73 tonnes of undeclared natural uranium linked to Deir Ezzor, renewing scrutiny of Syria’s past covert nuclear work, while Syria’s Atomic Energy Commission says it provided full access and that materials are now under safeguards. Healthcare Access in Crisis Zones: Barzani Charity Foundation reported medical services for dozens of displaced returnees in Afrin, treating 60 patients during a recent outreach. Local Health Support for Displaced: In Hasaka, Kurdish officials discussed ongoing assistance for displaced families and the push to unify Kurdish positions, with health and aid needs tied to displacement. Big Hospital Plans in Reconstruction: UAE developer Arada entered Syria with a JV to build “New Damascus,” a $7bn mixed-use city near Mezzeh that includes a planned 300-bed hospital and education facilities for 5,000 students. Health Funding Pressure: A report warns declining international funding for Palestinian refugees in Jordan is hitting education, health and protection, urging restored and predictable multi-year support.

Climate & Health: A new wave of extreme heat is being linked to mass wildfires and rising deaths across Europe, with officials warning the health toll could worsen as conditions persist. Humanitarian Funding: A report says declining international funding for Palestinian refugees in Jordan is straining education, health, and protection, urging donors to restore UNRWA support and back mental-health and livelihood programs. Syria Nuclear Transparency: Syria’s Atomic Energy Commission says an IAEA report confirms Damascus’ cooperation, including access to sites and uranium placed under safeguards. Damascus Care & Infrastructure: The UAE’s Arada and the Syrian Sovereign Fund signed a $7B “New Damascus” deal that includes a planned 300-bed hospital and schools—an early test of Syria’s postwar investment pull. Public Health & Safety: In Idlib, an ammunition-laden vehicle explosion killed at least five, with Civil Defense and Red Crescent teams treating the injured and securing the area. Health Access & Displacement: UN-linked coverage highlights how conflict and displacement keep disrupting medical services and basic care for vulnerable communities.

Road Safety & Injury Response: A serious one-vehicle crash in Ohio left multiple people with serious injuries, with air ambulances and local fire teams responding after a vehicle left the roadway and struck a culvert. Public Health & Access to Care: A new report warns that declining international funding for Palestinian refugees in Jordan is straining education, health, and protection services, urging donors to restore core funding and expand mental health and livelihood support. Nuclear Transparency: Syria’s Atomic Energy Commission says an IAEA report confirms Damascus provided access to sites and disclosed natural uranium under safeguards, including verification linked to the al-Kibar area. Security & Civilian Harm in Syria: In Idlib’s Binnish, an ammunition-loaded vehicle explosion killed at least five people and injured others, with civil defense teams securing the area amid fears of further blasts. Health Tech & Drug Discovery: Researchers announce AdaptiveFlow, an open-source AI platform that can virtually screen billions of drug-like molecules with far lower computing costs, aiming to speed cancer-target discovery. Regional Policy & Health Impacts: Qatar warns that escalation and “new realities” across Syria and the region could disrupt global supplies, including crops and pharmaceutical inputs. Housing & Community Support: A low-income housing project in north Springfield breaks ground, with plans for apartments and a redevelopment of a former school into a center offering education and support services.

Explosions & Safety: A vehicle packed with ammunition exploded in Binnish, Idlib, killing at least five people and injuring others, with emergency teams evacuating the wounded and authorities still unclear on whether it was accidental or a car bomb. Digital Health & Services: Syria’s Interior Ministry launched a “Civil Affairs” app for appointments, document verification, and electronic complaints, while officials say biometric ID rollout is still being prepared; the move is aimed at cutting bureaucracy and improving access to services. Refugee Health Access: Jordan’s Zaatari Camp clinics run by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center provided about 180,547 health services to Syrian refugees since the start of 2026, underscoring ongoing demand for care. Health System & Identity Tech: A report highlights growing interest in biometric QR credentialing for safer identity checks in healthcare and other sectors, with claims of real-world deployments for reducing misidentification and fraud. Justice & Health Risks: Iraq says it has completed questioning 5,704 ISIS suspects transferred from Syria and will move cases to trial, including allegations that some detainees were involved in “health” and other support roles.

EU Health Support: The EU provided €12 million to the WHO to keep essential healthcare running in Syria, including access to care, referrals, rehabilitation, disease surveillance, and support for mental health and dialysis services. Refugee Care in Camps: In Jordan’s Zaatari camp, King Salman Humanitarian Aid clinics delivered 180,547 health services to Syrian refugees since the start of 2026, aiming to maintain steady access to medical care. Health System Pressure: WHO funding comes as assessments warn 12.8 million people in Syria still need healthcare help, with shortages of staff, medicines, equipment, and electricity continuing to disrupt facilities. ISIS Detention Processing: Iraq completed questioning 5,704 suspects transferred from northeastern Syria over alleged ISIS involvement, with cases set for trial and some Syrians to be released due to insufficient grounds—an issue that can affect detainee health and access to care during legal review. Reconstruction With a Hospital Plan: UAE developer Arada and the Syrian Sovereign Fund announced a $7 billion “New Damascus” mixed-use project west of Damascus that includes a 300-bed hospital, schools, and other services, linking rebuilding plans to future healthcare capacity.

Healthcare Funding: The EU has provided €12 million to WHO to back Syria’s health system, including medicines for noncommunicable diseases, emergency care, mental health support, and supplies for dialysis, emergency, surgery, and intensive care units. Health Access in Camps: Reports from Rikban camp on the Syrian-Jordanian border say medical services were nearly halted after the Jordan border closure, leaving only two under-equipped medical points for about 50,000 displaced people. Health & Safety in Conflict: A mortar attack in western Suwayda killed a forcibly displaced woman and a tractor driver, with two others injured and taken to hospitals. Humanitarian Coordination: A Syrian foreign ministry delegation praised Kuwait and the Kuwait Red Crescent for years of aid, agreeing on a new coordination mechanism with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to target priority humanitarian projects. Reconstruction With Care Facilities: UAE developer Arada and the Syrian Sovereign Fund signed a reported $7B “New Damascus” deal for 4 million sq m, including 11,000 homes plus hospitals and schools, with plans to support residents from camps and destroyed areas.

Health Access Under Siege: Residents of Syria’s Rikban camp on the Syrian-Jordanian border say medical services were almost completely halted after the Jordan border closure, leaving tens of thousands with only two undertrained aid points and no medicines. War & Health Risks: Amnesty reports Russia and the Assad government carried out unlawful attacks on schools and medical facilities in northwestern Syria, warning the UN against cutting humanitarian aid. Local Health Care Support: In Kuwait, the St George Universal Syrian Orthodox Reesh Church and partners ran a dental awareness and screening camp for children and adults, focusing on prevention and reducing sugary-snack harm. Public Health Policy (Regional): Türkiye is shifting toward prevention and healthy aging, expanding family physician roles and screening for chronic diseases and cancer. Health in Conflict Zones: A mortar strike hit western Suwayda, killing a displaced woman and a tractor driver and sending the injured to hospitals. Prevention & Safety: A dental screening camp in Kuwait and broader prevention messaging highlight how early checks can reduce long-term illness burdens.

Suwayda Attack: A mortar shell hit western Suwayda neighborhoods, killing a forcibly displaced woman (Asya) and the tractor driver; two others were injured and taken to hospitals. Dental Health Outreach: Kuwait’s St George Universal Syrian Orthodox Reesh Church (HCM) with IDAK ran a dental awareness and screening camp at NECK, focusing on children’s oral hygiene, sugar risks, and brushing habits. Education Rights in Rojava: The University of Rojava condemned new Ministry of Education decisions that cut Kurdish-language classes to three periods weekly, saying it undermines a long-built bilingual model across sciences. Missing Persons Impact: A new briefing on disappearance in Syria says families’ biggest burden is uncertainty about a loved one’s fate, with knock-on effects for mental health, income, legal status, and trust. Health Tech Research: Latakia University researchers published a review mapping how deep reinforcement learning is being used in medical imaging, highlighting promise and key methodological pitfalls. Dental/Health Safety Note: Separate from Syria, Pakistan’s PIMS neonatal fire probe reported major fire-safety and emergency-preparedness failures, leading to suspensions and criminal proceedings.

Hospital Safety & Accountability: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif suspended eight senior officials and ordered criminal proceedings after an Islamabad hospital fire at PIMS killed 14 newborns, citing major gaps in fire alarms, sprinklers, emergency protocols, and staff training. Health Risks for Migrants: A Syria-born cardiologist in Germany says rising hostility toward foreigners is growing ahead of a far-right AfD election, with migrants fearing backlash even as they keep providing care. Cyber Fraud Targeting Health Workers: In Indore, a doctor lost Rs 6.11 lakh after a fake “Syrian doctor” befriended him on Facebook and used a scam posing as customs and RBI clearance fees. Food & Nutrition Support: WFP and South Korea launched a $5 million Syria food and nutrition program, aiming to protect vulnerable communities as funding pressures mount. Care Access Under Immigration Pressure: Reports from the US highlight how caregiver shortages may worsen if Temporary Protected Status is ended, threatening home care for older adults and people with disabilities. Syria’s Financial Integration: Syria’s delisting from a terrorism designation is framed as a step toward easier banking and remittances, with officials linking it to rebuilding confidence and payment systems.

ICJ & Humanitarian Health: South Africa filed with the ICJ over Israel’s alleged non-compliance with binding provisional measures in the Gaza genocide case, saying violations have killed over 1,300 Palestinians and wounded more than 4,330, with rescue teams recovering hundreds from rubble. Syria Health & Safety: Syria’s delisting from the US terrorism state sponsor list is framed by officials as a step toward financial integration, with hopes for easier SWIFT banking access and more investment—changes that can affect how health services and supplies get funded. Local Care & Access: A new €3 million project aims to help older people lead safer, healthier lives across Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. Injury & Emergency Response: Two people were killed and six rescued after an explosion/grenade incident in Hasaka, highlighting ongoing risks around clinics and courts. Nutrition & Food Security: WFP warns funding cuts are worsening Syria’s hunger and nutrition crisis. Wellness & Community: A Lower Mainland soccer club is creating community for immigrant and refugee youth, including Syrian kids, using sport to support mental wellbeing and social connection.

Hasaka Health Alert: A grenade blast outside Hasaka courthouse killed a man and a 13-year-old child, with victims taken to hospital and investigations launched into the circumstances. Druze Community Safety: The Syrian Observatory reports 1,048 Druze civilian deaths since Dec. 8, 2024, citing violence across multiple areas and calling for non-selective justice, including deaths of women, children, elderly and medical staff. Syria’s Financial Shift: Syrian officials say removing the U.S. terrorism designation is paving the way for financial integration, with upgrades aimed at enabling more transactions through SWIFT and attracting new banking partners. Food & Nutrition Support: WFP and South Korea launched a $5 million Syria food and nutrition program, as funding pressures continue to worsen hunger risks. Care Access Under Pressure: Reports from abroad highlight how immigration enforcement and TPS rollbacks can quickly disrupt caregiving work—an issue that resonates for Syria’s health system where staffing and continuity matter.

Syria Health & Safety: A grenade blast outside a courthouse in Hasaka killed a man and a 13-year-old child, with health authorities confirming the deaths after victims were taken to hospital. Humanitarian Access: Save the Children warns that volatile oil prices are driving up the cost of delivering aid, threatening lifesaving support for nearly 1.5 million children. Health & Return Risks: A report highlights how landmines and unexploded explosives keep northern Syria unsafe for returning communities, while damaged medical infrastructure struggles to respond to trauma. Food & Nutrition: WFP and partners are pushing a new Syria food and nutrition push, as funding shortfalls deepen hunger risks. Regional Health Context: In Lebanon, displacement and ongoing strikes have left many children unable to return to school, adding stress to families already facing major health and welfare pressures. Policy & Care Workforce: A U.S. immigration crackdown on Haitian caregivers under TPS could worsen staffing shortages in care homes and home health services, raising concerns for older adults and disabled people who rely on them.

Violence & Trauma Care: Two people, including a 13-year-old, were killed after a grenade exploded outside the Hasaka courthouse in northeast Syria, with victims reportedly taken to hospital; the incident comes amid shifting control and security arrangements in the region. Humanitarian Costs: Save the Children warns that volatile oil prices are driving up global delivery costs, threatening lifesaving aid for nearly 1.5 million children, including through higher transport and logistics spending. Return Safety & Health Risks: A report highlights how landmines and undetonated explosives keep northern Syria unsafe for returning families, while damaged medical capacity struggles to respond to trauma and mine-related injuries. Health Access in Conflict Zones: The U.S. updated its travel advisory for Gaza, citing limited emergency and intensive care capacity and shortages in hospitals and clinics, with guidance for backup power for medical devices. Public Health & Governance: Pakistan launched an investigation into the PIMS nursery fire that killed 14 newborns, with health officials pledging governance and infrastructure upgrades to prevent repeat tragedies.

Humanitarian & Health Support: WFP and South Korea launched a $5m REACH food and nutrition push in Syria, targeting about 38,000 vulnerable people with cash or vouchers and treatment for moderate acute malnutrition for children and pregnant/breastfeeding women. Refugee Returns: UNHCR says about 220,000 UNHCR-registered Syrians have returned from Jordan since Dec 2024, with nearly 45,000 returning in 2026; the agency is adding extra support for vulnerable families to cover return-related needs, including medication and transport. Safety & Care Access: The U.S. updated its travel advisory for Israel, West Bank and Gaza, warning that Gaza’s emergency and intensive care capacity is limited and hospitals/clinics lack basic resources. Conflict Impact on Health: Reports say Israel’s strikes and raids in southern Syria and Lebanon continue despite U.S.-led de-escalation efforts, raising risks for civilians and health services. Local Health Risks: A separate Turkey case highlights how violence can erupt around everyday life for Syrian workers, underscoring ongoing insecurity affecting access to safe work and care. Community Health & Inclusion: A new €3m project aims to help older people and people with disabilities access safer, healthier services across Syria, Lebanon and Palestine, including primary healthcare, physiotherapy, medicines and assistive devices.

Food & Nutrition: WFP and South Korea launched a $5 million REACH phase in Syria, targeting about 38,000 vulnerable people with cash/vouchers and treatment for moderate acute malnutrition for 28,000 children and pregnant/breastfeeding women. Public Health & Safety: A deadly hospital fire in Pakistan’s PIMS killed 14 newborns; Syria’s foreign ministry offered condolences and solidarity. Cancer Research: St. Jude scientists reported how specific brain cells respond differently to the H3.3 K27M mutation, helping explain why diffuse midline glioma often develops in midline brain regions. Health, Displacement & Returns: UNHCR said about 220,000 Syrian refugees have returned from Jordan since Dec. 8, 2024, with roughly 45,000 returning in 2026 so far; most returns are full-family and many live in urban host communities. Policy & Care Access: Syria’s removal from the US State Sponsor of Terrorism list is expected to ease financial and banking barriers, potentially improving conditions for rebuilding and services. Community Health Workforce: Claude Moore Opportunities and WellSpring Foundation awarded three nursing scholarships to students in Damascus and across Southwest Virginia.