The World Health Organization (WHO) appealed for emergency assistance, saying that people affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria were in a second crisis because they could not find necessary water, food, and fuel.
According to AFP, supplies of water, fuel, electricity and telecommunications are currently suspended in the earthquake-stricken area of Turkiye. In addition, the cold winter weather continues below freezing, and the roads are greatly damaged, making it difficult to move.
At a press conference held in Geneva, Switzerland on the 8th (local time), WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “The deteriorating weather and aftershocks in Turkey continue. , need medical care,” he said.
Robert Holden, WHO Earthquake Response Manager, said, “If we do not respond quickly to support survivors in line with the speed of rescue, more people could face a second disaster.” He went on to emphasize, “Protecting their lives is an urgent responsibility given to us now.”
In Syria, measles and cholera began to break out across the country. About 85,000 cholera cases have been reported in Syria since the end of August last year. “Cholera spreads through contaminated water, so a clean water supply is urgently needed to prevent transmission,” the WHO explained.
He also expressed concern about the mental suffering suffered by the victims of both countries. Michael Ryan, head of the WHO emergency response team, said, “The trauma suffered during the 60 hours of this earthquake disaster will reverberate for the next 60 years.”
According to the WHO, emergency medical teams from 77 countries and 13 international units are currently deployed in the affected areas in both countries. By the third day of the disaster, the number of deaths in both countries due to the earthquake was 12,391 in Turkey and 2,992 in Syria, bringing the total number of deaths to 15,383.
Lee Ye-ji,
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.