An increasing number of Syrians, who have fled to neighboring Lebanon since the civil war, are selling their organs in order to survive, writes the German "Spiegel".
The newspaper cites the example of a 19-year-old Syrian, who fled from Aleppo to Lebanon seven months ago with his parents and six siblings. In Beirut, the family soon ran out of money.
Raid was suggested by a relative to sell his kidney and introduced him to Abu Hussein, a member of a gang involved in human organ trafficking. "Spiegel" writes that this business is booming and that organs are harvested in illegal clinics.
Abu Huesin (26) was tasked by his boss to find an organ donor 15 months ago, and he saw a chance in refugees from Syria, of whom there are about a million in Lebanon.
Raid sold his left kidney easily because he was fit and didn't smoke. He played for the Syrian National Youth Football Club
According to Lik Noel, the World Health Organization's expert on organ transplantation, these are ideal conditions for the organ trade.
The text states that tens of thousands of wealthy Arabs from the region come to Beirut every year for treatment in excellent Lebanese hospitals, and that the authorities do not pay attention to whether the patients return home with a new nose or a new kidney.
So far, Palestinians have dominated illegal donors. Then came the war in Syria and with it the refugees. The rivalry between the two groups has driven prices down.
"When it comes to kidneys, we now have far more sellers than buyers," Abu Hussein said. He added that members of his gang had contracted the sale of 12 kidneys in the past 150 months.
According to UNHCR data, there are currently around two million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey
"Many of our products end up abroad, for example, in the Persian Gulf," said Abu Husein, adding that among the customers there are citizens of Europe and the USA.
Raid sold his left kidney easily because he was fit and didn't smoke. He played for the Syrian National Youth Football Club. Apparently, to calm him down, the doctors lied to him during the examination.
They told him that with any luck the kidney would grow back and there would be no consequences. Donors, in fact, have to go for check-ups years after the operation, and people like Raid can't afford it.
He received 5.200 euros for the kidney.
So far, 50.000 refugees have applied for admission to European countries, the largest number of them want to go to Germany and Sweden
The family lacked everything: mattresses, winter clothes, a refrigerator, a stove...And they took it all to the room where eight people live today. Now they have enough to get through the winter, and when asked what they will do after that, Raid says he doesn't know.
According to UNHCR data, there are currently around two million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. According to estimates by the UN High Commissioner, that number could increase to three and a half million by the end of this year.
So far, 50.000 refugees have applied for admission to European countries, the largest number of them wanting to go to Germany and Sweden.
I don't care if you die
Abu Hussein says that selling organs benefits everyone. Syrians get money and patients - who give up to 15.000 dollars for a kidney - get a new life. And he receives 600-700 dollars for each contracted sale, which is the monthly salary of a Lebanese teacher.
Abu Hussein said that in the past few months he has transported 15 to 16 kidney donors - all Syrians, aged 14 to 30 - to a secret clinic that looks like an apartment building from the outside.
The clinic has the most modern medical equipment and does not want to limit itself to kidneys only. "I'm currently looking for someone to sell an eye."
"Spiegel" points out that not everyone benefits from this trade. Raid, whose kidney was removed seven days ago, is not feeling well. He has pain, dizziness and is exhausted.
"I need medicine. You said you would bring me medicine," he says to Abu Hussein, who just minutes earlier had boasted that his organization was taking good care of Syrians.
"However, when Raid asks for analgesics, Abu Hussein shouts at him: "Shut up. I don't care if you die. You're done anyway.”
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