Following the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg officially visited Ankara on Thursday to show his support for the affected regions. Stoltenberg reiterated NATO's solidarity with Turkey, a critical partner in the organization, and expressed its willingness to help the region recover and rebuild.
The NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, visited Ankara, the capital of Turkey, on Thursday to express solidarity with the earthquake-hit regions of Turkey and Syria. The last week’s devastating earthquake caused immense damage, and the visit was aimed at extending support to the affected communities. The Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, accompanied Stoltenberg, and while addressing the media, he conveyed that NATO stands united with Turkey, a NATO member, in its hour of crisis. Collectively, the death toll in both countries surpassed 41,000 from the catastrophe.
The alliance’s current emphasis is on recovery and aiding the displaced communities affected by the earthquake. Moreover, the high-level visit by the NATO Chief to Turkey, on behalf of the member countries, is likely to boost the morale of the affected regions and reassure the government of NATO’s assistance in relief and rebuilding efforts. Jens Stoltenberg also expressed his admiration for the bravery and prompt response of the Turkish first responders while also mourning the loss of lives because of the disaster.
During his visit to Turkey, Stoltenberg outlined the initiatives that NATO is taking to help Turkey, including the construction of temporary housing for the affected people and utilizing the organization’s strategic airlift capabilities to transport thousands of tents to the disaster-stricken areas. These efforts aim to mitigate the immediate suffering of the affected populace and aid in their long-term rehabilitation.
U.N. Chief Appeals for $1 Billion Humanitarian Fund for Turkey Quake Relief
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, made an earnest appeal in New York on Thursday to countries globally to donate towards a $1 billion humanitarian fund for Turkey to provide earthquake assistance to 5.2 million people for the next three months. Stressing the urgency of the situation, Guterres called on the global community to stand in solidarity with the people of Turkey in their time of need, just as Turkey has supported other nations facing crises in the past.
Guterres expressed that the scale of devastation caused by the earthquake is vast, and the affected communities are in dire need of help. There is no time to waste, and swift action needs to be taken to alleviate the people’s suffering. The Secretary-General’s appeal underscores the significance of global collaboration in providing vital aid and support to the countries most in need during times of crisis.
According to Turkey’s emergency management agency, the death toll resulting from the earthquake on February 6th has risen to 36,187 individuals, with 108,000 others suffering injuries. In the aftermath of the quake, the affected regions have been hit by over 4,300 aftershocks, further exacerbating the situation. Meanwhile, the United Nations’ humanitarian agency and Syria’s state-run news agency have confirmed over 5,500 deaths in Syria, a neighbouring country affected by the earthquake. The mounting death tolls are a sad reminder of the scale of destruction that the earthquake has caused and the need for swift and concerted relief efforts.
Millions of Earthquake Survivors in Need of Aid in Near-freezing Temperatures
According to authorities, millions of people who survived the earthquake are in dire need of humanitarian aid. Many survivors have been left without homes in sub-zero temperatures and require urgent assistance. As rescue efforts have slowed, the situation remains challenging for those affected, and the need for relief efforts has become more critical. The challenges brought about by the earthquake and harsh winter conditions have made it even more challenging for the affected communities to recover. Swift action and effective aid distribution are imperative in providing critical assistance and support to those impacted by the earthquake.
NATO Chief Assured Aid for Earthquake-Hit Turkey Source: Web
The United Nations (U.N.) has appealed for $1 billion in aid for Turkey following a devastating earthquake that struck the country. This year, the U.N. has requested $4.8 billion to support the pre-earthquake needs in various areas. Additionally, the U.N. Secretary-General has called on the international community to contribute almost $400 million towards earthquake relief efforts in Syria, which could benefit around 5 million people. The U.N. and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) already have an established aid infrastructure in Syria due to the 12-year-long civil war, which can be utilized in the current situation. Overall, the U.N. is seeking significant financial aid to provide necessary assistance and relief to the people affected by the quake in Turkey and Syria while also addressing the long-standing humanitarian crisis in the region.
Syria Allows Aid To Opposition-Held Areas
Under President Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian government recently agreed to permit the United Nations (U.N.) to use two extra crossing points from Turkey into opposition-held regions of the country’s northwest. This agreement has enabled the transportation of much-needed aid to the area, which has been heavily affected by an earthquake. As a result, 22 trucks carrying supplies from the World Food Program and the U.N. refugee agency have entered the region via the Bab al-Hawa crossing point, while two additional trucks carrying tents from UNHCR came through the newly reopened Bab al-Salam crossing.
The aid delivered so far has included 141 supply trucks, and more are expected to arrive in the area. This development represents a significant breakthrough in the effort to provide essential assistance to the affected communities, thanks to the Syrian government’s cooperation with the U.N. in facilitating aid delivery. According to the United Nations (U.N.) spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, shelter is currently the most pressing concern for displaced individuals in the northwest region of Syria.
Dujarric stated that nearly 9,000 buildings had been severely damaged or destroyed due to the recent earthquake, which has left thousands of people without homes. The dire situation highlights the urgent need for assistance, and addressing the shelter needs of the affected population has become a top priority for the U.N. and other aid organizations working in the region.
