UN requests $1 billion aid for earthquake victims in Turkey
In order to assist the millions of people devastated by the earthquake that has killed more than 42,000 people in Turkey and Syria, the United Nations has urged member nations to donate $1 billion.
“Today the United Nations is launching a $1 billion humanitarian appeal for the people of Türkiye suffering from the most destructive earthquakes to hit the country in a century,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
He said that 5.2 million people were in need of the money to help with relief efforts for food security, safety, protection, education, water, and shelter.
According to him, “Türkiye is home to the largest number of refugees in the world and has shown enormous generosity to its Syrian neighbours for years.
“Now is the time for the world to support the people of Türkiye just as they have stood in solidarity with others seeking assistance.
“People are suffering and there’s no time to lose.
“The international community should fund this critical effort in response to one of the biggest natural disasters of our times.”
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked south-eastern Turkey on February 6 was followed by a second, more significant 7.6-magnitude earthquake within a few hours.
In addition to the thousands of persons still missing, more than 42,000 people have died in Turkey and Syria, leaving the area in general in ruins.
The UN’s request comes as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) announced a fundraising increase of more than three times for its emergency appeals for Turkey and Syria.
At Beirut International Airport, IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain announced to media that the organization would enhance its emergency financing for the two nations to 650 million Swiss francs (215 million dollars), including 200 million for Syria and 450 million for Turkey.
He claimed that the current situation, which is a continuation of Syria’s 12-year civil war, would extend into the foreseeable future and that people will be affected by it for a longer period of time.
Earlier, Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syria, expressed gratitude to the “brotherly and friendly” nations that supported the Syrian people in the wake of the tragic earthquake.
He claimed that Syria has not had an earthquake in over 250 years and that it was unprepared for them.
“The war, which drained resources and weakened capabilities, gave the Syrian society the experience to deal with the earthquake,” he added.
Despite the slim possibilities of discovering survivors, Turkish and foreign rescue crews kept working.
