United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced on Tuesday that the world body is launching a $397 million humanitarian appeal for people affected by the earthquake in Syria.
“It will cover a three-month period,” Guterres told reporters, adding that “we are in the final stages of a similar appeal for Turkey.” The effort in Syria is bringing together the entire United Nations system and humanitarian partners and will help provide nearly 5 million Syrians with much-needed life-saving assistance, including shelter, health care, food and shelter, Guterres said.
“The most effective way to defend the people is to provide this emergency aid,” he remarked.
Powerful earthquakes and aftershocks hit Turkey and neighboring Syria on February 6, with the death toll rising to over 35,000 on Monday.
Immediately after the earthquakes, the United Nations quickly transferred $50 million through the Central Emergency Response Fund.
“But the need is enormous,” Guterres said, noting that a week after the devastating earthquakes, millions of people in the region are left homeless and struggling to survive in freezing temperatures.
“We are doing everything we can to change that. But it takes a lot more,” he said.
The UN chief stressed that the human suffering caused by this epic natural disaster should not be exacerbated by artificial barriers to entry, financing and supplies.
“Help must come from all sides, from all directions, by all routes – without restrictions,” he said.
“I call on Member States and other stakeholders to immediately fund this effort and help the millions of children, women and men whose lives have been turned upside down by this generational disaster”; said Guterres.
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