Turkey-Syria Earthquake Tragedy: Over 21,000 Dead and Counting
As the hours passed by, the death toll from the massive earthquake in Turkey and Syria kept climbing, reaching 21,000 and counting. The first UN aid finally reached the Syrian rebel-held zones, but hope of finding more survivors dwindled as the 72-hour window, considered by experts as the most likely period to save lives, has already passed. Meanwhile, bitter cold temperatures have further hampered the search efforts and threatened the lives of many quake victims who are left without shelter and drinking water.
The Head of the World Health Organization on the Way to Syria
The Chief of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced that he is on his way to Syria to provide support for essential healthcare in the areas affected by the earthquake. He tweeted, “On my way to Syria, where WHO is supporting essential health care in the areas affected by the recent earthquake.”
Also Read: Devastating 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Turkey and Syria
Aid Convoy Reaches Rebel-Held Northwestern Syria
In a potentially life-saving development, an aid convoy reached rebel-held northwestern Syria earlier this Thursday, marking the first since the earthquake struck. The Bab al-Hawa border crossing is the only way UN assistance can reach civilians without going through areas controlled by Syrian government forces. The crossing has been the sole reliance of four million people living in rebel-held areas of northwest Syria as part of a cross-border aid operation authorized by the Security Council nearly a decade ago.
The Need for Massive Support
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges the Security Council to authorize the opening of new cross-border humanitarian aid points between Turkey and Syria to deliver aid. He emphasized the need for unity during this tragedy, “This is the moment of unity, it’s not a moment to politicize or to divide but it is obvious that we need massive support.”
Freezing Temperatures
The Turkish city of Gaziantep experienced minus five degrees Celsius early Thursday, but thousands of families spent the night in cars and makeshift tents – too scared or banned from returning to their homes. Gyms, mosques, schools, and some stores have opened at night to provide temporary shelter, but beds are still at a premium, leaving thousands to spend the nights in cars with engines running for warmth.
Racing Against the Clock
The intense cold has forced international rescuers to choose between using their limited fuel supplies to keep warm or to carry out their work. Despite the difficulties, thousands of local and foreign searchers have not given up hope of finding more survivors.
Anger Mounts Over Government’s Handling of the Disaster
As the death toll continues to rise, anger has mounted over the government’s handling of the disaster. The quake was the largest Turkey has seen since 1939, when 33,000 people died in the eastern Erzincan province. Some have expressed their frustrations, “People who didn’t die from the earthquake were left to die in the cold.”