HQ Team
February 12, 2023: About 14 trucks carrying relief materials reached opposition-held areas in Syria from Turkey, through the only authorized route for aid deliveries to quake-struck regions, according to the UN.
The crossing at Bab al-Hawa, allowed only for deliveries from the UN Security Council, has prompted calls, including the Secretary General of the global body, to “explore all possible avenues to get aid and personnel into all affected areas.”
The combined death toll in Turkey and Syria rose to more than 20,000 after an initial 7.8 magnitude quake close struck Gaziantep, Turkey, early Monday morning. It was followed by another 7.5 magnitude earthquake several hours later.
With more victims expected, the UN Syria Envoy on Thursday asked for “access and resources irrespective of borders and boundaries”.
“The number of casualties continues to rise as we speak in both countries, and there are still too many people under the rubble in the cold.
Situation worsening
The earthquake struck as the humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria was already worsening, with needs at their highest level since the conflict began.” Geir Pedersen, the UN Syria Envoy, said.
“The number of casualties continues to rise as we speak in both countries, and there are still too many people under the rubble in the freezing cold. The earthquake struck as the humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria was already worsening, with needs at their highest level since the conflict began.”
The UN World Food Programme was ready to move supplies there, echoing growing international calls for quicker and more accessible routes, although Monday’s earthquakes had damaged roads.
“That slows down our deliveries,” said Corinna Fleischer, WFP Regional Director in the Middle East, Northern Africa and Eastern Europe. “We need to be able to go across the borders, and we need customs officials to be there in sufficient numbers.”
Cross-line deliveries need to restart and be stepped up from government-controlled areas into opposition territory in Syria, the WFP official said. “A full 90% of people in the northwest depend on humanitarian assistance.”
‘Fast, regular access’
The UN refugee Agency s, UNHCR, said prepositioned stocks supplied by cross-line deliveries, carried before the earthquakes, were being distributed already.
It hoped an agreement with the government would allow for “fast and regular access” to the northwest.
“We are running out of stocks, and we need access to bring new stocks in,” Ms Fleischer said.
According to the UN, tens of thousands are too scared to move back into buildings they fear may collapse, forcing them to sleep in cars, tents, and anywhere else they can find shelter amid freezing winter temperatures. Clinics and hospitals were destroyed.
“For the thousands of people affected by the earthquakes, food is one of the top needs right now, and our priority is to get it to the people who need it fast,” Ms Fleischer said.
5.3 million homeless in Syria
The UNHCR said that about 5.3 million people in Syria might have been left homeless by the disaster.
“There are 6.8 million people already internally displaced in the country. And this was before the earthquake,” said Sivanka Dhanapala, UNHCR Representative in Syria, speaking from Damascus.
The displaced people needed tents, plastic sheeting, thermal blankets, sleeping mats and winter clothing.
The UN sexual and reproductive health agency UNFPA, said late on Friday that it has begun distributing 60,000 dignity kits to women and girls in northwest Syria.
