Earthquake Disaster: UN Chief Urges Countries To Show Love, Generosity To Turkey
By EPHRAIM NWOSU
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has urged countries across the world to extend their milk of human kindness to the people of Turkey and Syria living in the region of the ill fated earthquake disaster which has left more than 18,000 people dead.
Guterres lamented that what had been a ” Center of solidarity is now an epicenter of suffering.”
“In the face of this disaster, I strongly appeal to to the international community to show the people of Turkey and Syria the same kind of support and generousity with which they received, protected and assisted millions of refugees and displaced people,” Guterres began while speaking with journalists at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday.
He continued:” Turkey is home to the largest number of refugees in the world and has shown unparalleled generousity to it’s Syrian neighbours. Indeed, up to 3.6 million Syrians have lived in Turkey for more than a decade and many of them are now victims of the earthquake.
“”People are facing nightmare on top of nightmare. The earthquake struck as the humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria was already worsening, with needs at the highest level since the conflict began.”
He opined that UN had done it’s best to respond speedily on what he described as “one of the biggest natural disasters in our times.”
The first UN convoy crossed into northwest Syria on Thursday through the Bab al-Hawa crossing, including six trucks carrying shelter and other desperately needed relief supplies, and although more help is on the way, Guterres assured, “much more, much more, is needed.”
The UN boss disclosed that arrangements have been concluded to send UN relief chief, Martin Griffiths to Turkey this weekend to fully assess the disaster; but pointed out that there are two overachieving priorities.
“First, access. Roads are damaged. People are dying. Now is the time to explore all possible avenues to get the aid and personnel into all affected areas. We must put people first.
“Second, resources. The humanitarian response-the Syria humanitarian fund and the Syria cross- border fund- needed an urgent injection of support. They are the best options to enable the UN and it’s humanitarian partners to rapidly respond to people in need.”
Guterres submitted that UN agencies- along with international and national NGOs in Syria are assessing their initial funding requirements for the next three months.
“These resources will be used by the humanitarian community for critical aid: Shelter, health, nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, education, protection and psychological support services.”
Meanwhile, $25 million has been released from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund to jumpstart the response, and by early next week, a Flash Appeal for donor support would be issued, to those affected by the earthquake in Syria.
