The United Nations launches a $1 billion appeal to help Turkey earthquake victims

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Issued on: 16/2/2023 – 17:32

The United Nations on Thursday launched an appeal for $1 billion to help the victims of the catastrophic earthquake that struck Turkey last week, killing thousands of people and leaving millions more in desperate need of assistance.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that the money will provide humanitarian relief for three months to 5.2 million people.

He added that the money “will allow aid organizations to quickly scale up vital support,” including in the areas of food security, protection, education, water and shelter.

“The needs are enormous, people are suffering and there is no time to lose,” Guterres pleaded.

“I urge the international community to step up and fully fund this critical effort in response to one of the greatest natural disasters of our time.”

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake early on February 6 killed more than 35,000 people in southeastern Turkey, and thousands more died across the border in Syria.

According to Ankara, more than 9 million people in Turkey have been directly affected by the disaster.

01:21 © France 24

In a separate statement announcing the urgent appeal, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said the Turkish people had suffered “indescribable grief”.

“We must stand with them through their darkest times and ensure they get the support they need,” added Griffiths, who heads the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

OCHA said in its statement that hundreds of thousands of people, including young children and the elderly, do not have access to shelter, food, water, heaters and medical care in freezing temperatures.

She added that around 47,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged across Turkey, with thousands of people taking refuge in temporary shelters.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the UN is providing hot meals, food, tents, warm winter clothes, blankets, mattresses, kitchen sets and medical supplies to the affected areas.

On Tuesday, the United Nations launched a $397 million appeal to help earthquake victims in Syria.

The United Nations earlier provided $50 million for relief efforts through its Central Emergency Response Fund.

(AFP)

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