In the city of Reyhanli, where Türkiye meets Syria, the NSPPL (National Syrian Project for Prosthetic Limbs) Center, supported by Relief International, stands as a pillar of hope for those affected by the brutal effects of war.

Among its dedicated team members is Muna, a Syrian refugee from Hama, a city that has seen some of the worst devastations in the Syrian conflict. Her journey from a refugee seeking treatment to becoming an instrumental figure in the center is an inspiration to many.

“I came to Turkey to receive treatment after my leg was amputated. I was one of the service users at the NSPPL Center in Reyhanli, where I received a prosthetic limb. This enabled me to continue my studies, so I studied physical therapy in Türkiye and later returned as a member of the NSPPL team.”

Her work at the NSPPL Center exemplifies the impact that compassion and care can have on those whose lives are torn apart by conflict. Muna recalls supporting Rihem, a young woman who lost her left leg before receiving help from the center.

“She had a bilateral lower limb amputation due to a war injury on the left side, requiring a prosthetic limb. She spent two months training hard to adapt to her new limb. Rihem became so confident that she described her prosthetic as ‘seeming like her real leg, not an artificial one.’ Now she can walk independently on her prosthetic leg without using an assistive device.”

But despite the rewarding outcomes, the work doesn’t come without challenges.

“Many people need prosthetic limbs to resume their daily activities. Without these, most cannot return to school, work, or even perform everyday tasks like housework due to significantly limited mobility.”

“Our teams are working hard to bridge the gap in care, offering services across various cities. We aim to fully support patients to return to their daily lives through rehabilitation and psychosocial support. However, we face challenges with budget constraints, the capacity of the center versus the high demand, and limited financial resources.”

Despite these challenges, Muna and the NSPPL team remain committed to uplifting as many lives as possible. Their unwavering dedication is driven by seeing the transformative impact of their work.

Journeys like Muna’s, marked by her resilience, symbolize hope to visitors that normalcy and recovery are possible even after the darkest times.

Our centers in Türkiye are dedicated to helping people reclaim their mobility and overall well-being. In just the past six months, we’ve conducted over 2,500 physiotherapy sessions and nearly 1,000 psychosocial support sessions. We remain committed to partnering with local communities and enhancing long-term health and wellbeing through comprehensive rehabilitation programs.