UN begs for $1 billion to aid earthquake sufferers in Turkey

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – Two days after launching a $397 million plea to aid almost 5 million Syrians across the border in the rebel-held northwest, the United Nations issued a $1 billion appeal to assist 5,2 million earthquake sufferers in Turkey.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric was bombarded with questions about why the appeal for Turkey targets just 5,2 million individuals whereas, according to the U.N. and the Turkish government, over 15 million people have been impacted. However, he was questioned as to why the appeal for Turkey is two-and-a-half times higher than the one for Syria, despite helping about the same number of people.

According to him, the Turkish appeal “was developed in close collaboration with the Turkish government, which is spearheading the relief operations.”

According to Dujarric, this is the number of people who need the greatest humanitarian relief, the quickest, and where the United Nations can be most successful. He said that the Turkish search and rescue and humanitarian apparatus is “very effective.”

As for the gap in appeal amounts, he said that “there is already a well-established humanitarian community operating in Syria” and that a $4.8 billion humanitarian appeal for Syria in 2023 existed before to the earthquake.

“There is now an existing humanitarian fund for Syria, which did not exist for Turkey,” he stated.

These requests are for emergency cash for the next three months, and they will be followed by other requests for longer-term assistance.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the $1 billion appeal for Turkey, stating that the funds will allow aid organisations to rapidly scale up their support for government-led relief efforts, such as the provision of food, protection, education, water, and shelter to survivors of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northwestern Syria on February 6.

Guterres said, “The demands are huge, people are suffering, and there is no time to waste.” In reaction to one of the most devastating natural catastrophes of our time, I encourage the world community to fully finance this crucial endeavour.

It is time for the world to help the Turkish people, since Turkey is host to the biggest number of refugees in the world and has been extraordinarily kind to its Syrian neighbours for years, as he said.

According to the U.N. refugee agency, more than 1.74 million refugees reside in the eleven earthquake-affected regions of Turkey.

This week, U.N. humanitarian head Martin Griffiths visited both quake-ravaged nations and said, “The people of Turkey have endured unimaginable suffering.”

The earthquake occurred in the height of winter, leaving hundreds of thousands of people, including young children and the elderly, without shelter, food, water, heaters, or medical care in subzero temperatures. According to Griffiths’ office, around 47,000 structures have been demolished or damaged.

Griffiths said, “We must stand with them in their darkest hour and ensure they get the necessary assistance.”

Since the earthquake occurred 10 days ago, the United Nations has been criticised for its tardy reaction in delivering assistance and heavy equipment to the rebel-held northwest of Syria.

Guterres stated on Monday, after Griffiths’ visit to Damascus, that Syrian leader Bashar Assad has agreed to open two new Turkish-to-northwest crossing sites at Bab Al-Salam and Al Raée for an initial term of three months.

At Russia’s request, the United Nations was only permitted to send supplies to the northwest Idlib region via a single border at Bab Al-Hawa.

On Monday, 22 trucks carrying food and other supplies passed via Bab Al-Hawa, while on Thursday, two trucks carrying tents passed through Bab Al-Salam. From Al Raee, no convoys had yet reached the northwest.

“According to the most recent information we have received, as of February 14, 8,900 structures have been damaged in the northwest of Syria, rendering 11,000 people homeless,” Dujarric said.

According to him, the most urgent need in Syria is shelter, followed by food, monetary help, and resources for dealing with winter conditions.

Prior to the earthquake, global humanitarian needs were already 25% greater this year than last, and Dujarric said that the United Nations is concerned about the rising number of people in need.

“Our humanitarian system is at capacity,” he said.

Dujarric said that many individuals in need of assistance reside in regions plagued by violence and the effects of climate change.

It is unfortunate for the U.N., he added, since “so many of these problems might have been handled sooner,” but “the repercussions of neglecting climate change, of not putting enough effort into peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion… fall on the U.N.’s doorstep.”

Dujarric said that the U.N. is working as quickly as possible within the confines of international law and the U.N. Charter, “which sometimes necessitates the U.N. as opposed to other relief organisations to analyse and respect the political environment.”

“If I were on the receiving end of assistance, I would feel that nothing is arriving fast enough,” he remarked.

Dujarric said, “Thus, we hope that member states can find the unity and compassion required from the public and commercial sectors” to assist earthquake survivors and millions of others in need.