IDPs Primary Care & Telemedicine

Executive summary

In 2017–2018, Ark-Terra partnered with Natan disaster relief and Friend Ships to deliver primary health care and basic relief (food, clothing) to internally displaced Syrians (IDPs) near the Israel–Syria border. Ark-Terra led planning, staffing, and day-to-day medical operations and added a telemedicine layer so Israeli-based physicians could consult live with patients in the field. The mission ran alongside the corridor supported by Israel’s “Good Neighbor” effort and operated during a period when >6 million Syrians were displaced inside Syria and >5.6 million had fled the country

At a glance

When/Where: 2017–2019 • Camp Ichay, Southwest Syria (adjacent to Israel)
Engagement: Embedded team within field clinic (+ remote telemedicine cell)
Partners: Israeli Defence Forces; Friend Ships (field clinic lead); NATAN (medical volunteers, telemedicine)
Services: Primary care; relief distribution; telemedicine consults from Israel to camp patients

The challenge

2017 was among the conflict’s worst years for civilians; displacement and needs spiked while access to consistent care across opposition-held pockets was scarce. Clinics had to be light, secure, and high-throughput - and integrate with protection and logistics on a volatile front.

Our role

Medical ops & staffing: Recruited multi-national volunteer physicians/dentists and ran clinic shifts with Friend Ships’ team.
Telemedicine hub: Equipped a remote consult cell in Israel; routed video calls to camp exam rooms to extend specialty coverage and surge capacity.
Coordination & compliance: Interfaced with local security and humanitarian actors to align patient flow, referrals, and supply.

What we did

Set up & run primary/dental care under tented, rapidly deployable infrastructure; stabilized acute cases; handled high-volume minor ailments common to displacement (respiratory, skin, GI, dental pain). https://www.kplctv.com
Deliver relief (food, clothing) alongside care to reduce negative coping and encourage follow-up. Times of Israel Blogs
Operate telemedicine using up-to-date devices/software so in-Israel clinicians could co-diagnose and guide treatment in real time.

Triangle in action (Tech–Environment–Human)

Technology: Low-bandwidth telemedicine workflows, rugged & remote operated devices, simple data capture.
Environment: Border-adjacent, security-constrained camp design; short dwell times; weather-proof equipment and logistics.
Human: Mixed, faith-diverse teams (Jews, Christians & Muslims) increased trust and access for Muslim IDPs; care emphasized dignity.

Results & impact

Continuous primary care delivered inside Syria at Camp Ichay during peak displacement; clinic presence documented by multiple outlets.
Specialist reach via telemedicine improved case resolution and clinic throughput during surges.
Interfaith cooperation publicly recognized for bridging divides and reducing fear barriers to care.

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