Join a Health Mission
Medical and Humanitarian Volunteers
Atlantic Humanitarian Relief’s (AHR) mission is to provide medical relief and support services that address the physical wounds and emotional suffering of those most in need in Syria. As well as, supporting the rebuilding of the Syrian medical infrastructure. We focus our time and services to those seeking not only medical attention, but also psychological care as well.
AHR began with one man, carrying bags of medications to those in need. Mission after mission, our vision continues to grow as we have more volunteers and more specialties being represented to service the refugees and other individuals in need.
If you would like to participate in an upcoming mission, please fill out the volunteer form. For any further questions regarding missions, email ahrmissions@gmail.com. We need people with all kinds of skill sets; if you have organizational skills, language skills, etc. please consider joining us. You are not required to speak Arabic as we have bilingual team members and translators available, but it certainly does help! Please consider joining us.
Fund Raising
As a participant in our medical missions, we encourage participants to raise funds for donations such as medicine, food, baby formula, blankets, clothing, educational supplies and ongoing support of rehabilitation programs. You can donate directly to Atlantic Humanitarian Relief on our website or our gofundme campaign, or start your own campaign to share with family and friends!
What should you expect on a typical mission?
We recommend you arrive in Syria at least a day before the mission begins to get settled in. The first day will begin with breakfast at our base hotel, immediately followed by an introductory meeting that will discuss the week’s plans. We then load the buses and head out to our designated locations. The most efficient and preferred method of communication is via WhatsApp. Groups will be created on this platform to allow for easy communication in cases of changes in the scheduling.
All medications and supplies brought for the mission will be collected, inventoried and sorted by the team in advance so we can travel to our sites with a ready-to-go fully operational pharmacy. We travel with ready to distribute humanitarian supplies as well as fun, educational activities for youth which are all prepared and organized the night before for the next day.
Our Mission Director sets the daily schedule of visits via passenger vans to clinics in the field, local rehab homes, hospitals and various refugee camps. Our days begin at 7am and end with dinner around 7 or 8pm, followed by preparations of pharmacy and other supplies.
Baggage
We will provide letters to show you are part of a humanitarian mission. In the past, many airlines waive or reduce baggage fees. This is not guaranteed and each team member is responsible for their own fees. In most cases, team members collect old luggage that can be left in Syria, fill them with medical and humanitarian supplies and bring just a carry-on with their personal clothing and items. It is helpful to keep a detailed inventory list in each bag. Please let the director know how many bags you will be arriving with.
Key Arabic Phrases
- Marhaba- hello
- Shokran-thank you
- Keef halak? (masculine) keef halek? (feminine)- how are you?
- Tmam- good/fine
- Shu esmak? (masculine) shu esmek? (feminine)- what is your name?
General Tips
Be flexible. Be prompt. Be a team-player. Wear many hats! Adjust your expectations. Think outside the box. Be creative. Use humor. Listen. Give hope. Do not venture off alone. Do not change the plan. Do not give out money, food, medications, clothing, toys etc. unless specifically instructed to. Share your experiences with the world when you return!