The WHO Has a New Guide to Helping Chemical Weapons Victims in Syria—And It's Brutal
The World Health Organization released new interim guidance on Tuesday for the treatment of victims of chemical weapons. The document, which is available in both English and Arabic, is based on field training that's been carried out since last year.
In light of what's happened in Syria in the last week, the document is predictably gut-wrenching. Glenn Thomas, a spokesman for the WHO in Geneva, said that the release of the document this week isn't just some coincidence—it was rushed out to support UN and WHO staff in Syria.
The organization's flow-chart on identifying the class of chemical exposure gives you enough of a sense of how dire the situation must be for medical responders in Syria:
It's not totally clear yet what type of chemical weapons have been used in Syria. But according to experts, the most likely culprit in last week's attack is some sort of nerve agent. According to the new WHO report, here are the signs and symptoms of these weapons:
It may not be long before the U.S. steps in. Vice President Joe Biden said on Tuesday there is "no doubt" that the Assad regime in Syria has used chemical weapons, and that "no one doubts that innocent men, women and children have been the victims." NBC reports that U.S. strikes on Syria intending to send a message could come as soon as Thursday, and last for three days.
