Physiotherapists helping Syrian earthquake survivors a year on – in pictures

NGO provides treatment to heal injuries suffered in building collapses

Ammar Bardoush is one of a number of physiotherapists providing free treatment to earthquake survivors in north-west Syria. All photos: Moawia Atrash for The National

Young patient Mustafa Al Ghanam, whose feet were crushed in the February 6, 2023 quake, performs exercises under guidance of the physio, in Azmarin village, Idlib province. ‘I felt great pain at the beginning after the injury, but I adapted and began to improve with the physical therapy services,’ said Mustafa

Among other patients in Azmarin is Mustafa's sister Alaa, whose leg was seriously injured in the earthquake. The free physiotherapy service is provided by non-governmental organisation the Specialised Centre for Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, in Idlib

Mr Bardoush also helps Mustafa and Alaa's brother Muhammad with his exercises. The earthquake killed about 60,000 people in Syria and Turkey and left 130,000 injured

Mustafa performs strength-building exercises under the guidance of Mr Bardoush. He lost a brother in the earthquake and has undergone many operations

Mustafa receives therapy. Areas outside the control of President Bashar Al Assad in north-west Syria were hardest hit by the earthquake

Alaa practises exercises to strengthen her legs. ‘I suffered great pain because of this injury and had two operations, but I have improved after a year,’ she told The National. ‘However, I am still afraid and remember the moments of the earthquake.’

Muhammad, Alaa and Mustafa, with their father, Mudathir Al Ghanam, in their Azmarin home. ‘I have suffered a lot, as I lost one of my sons and my brother,’ said Mr Al Ghanam. He said his children had undergone many operations ’but they have benefitted greatly from the services of this centre’

Also benefiting from the NGO's services is Ibrahim Al Sheikh, 45, from the village of Bithynia, Iblib province. He too was injured in the earthquake. ‘The memory is extremely painful for me, because I suffered a severe injury to my feet and treatment continues now, a year on,’ he told The National

Physiotherapist Ahmed Dani provides treatment for Mr Al Sheikh in Bithynia, as colleague Mr Bardoush looks on. Mr Dani said the centre’s physios make regular tours of the area to ensure patients are not forgotten

Earthquake survivors in Jindires, north-west Syria living in tents a year on - in pictures

Turkey earthquake one year on: Families of the missing struggle with 'unbearable pain'

Before and after: Devastation caused by Turkey earthquake in Hatay - in pictures

After Turkey's earthquake, voters put their trust in Erdogan to rebuild

A year has passed since the devastating earthquake hit Syria and Turkey