Quake latest: Aid convoys will keep crossing into Syria ‘for as long as needs are there’

Quake latest: Aid convoys will keep crossing into Syria ‘for as long as needs are there’

Since 9 February, 143 trucks have passed through the Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salam border crossings, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). “The movements continue today, they continue over the weekend and will continue every day for as long as the needs are there,” OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke told journalists in…

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Guterres calls on countries to fully fund $397 million quake appeal for Syria

Guterres calls on countries to fully fund $397 million quake appeal for Syria

António Guterres told reporters outside the Security Council in New York that aid “must get through from all sides” and the funding would cover an initial period of three months. He said a similar appeal is being finalised for survivors across the border in Türkiye. ‘Immense’ need In the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes, the United Nations…

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Children sleep in streets, too afraid to go home after quake disaster

Children sleep in streets, too afraid to go home after quake disaster

“Even without verified numbers it’s tragically clear the number of children killed, the number of children orphaned is going to keep on rising”,” said UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson James Elder. In Türkiye, the total number of children living in the 10 provinces before the emergency was 4.6 million, and 2.5 million in Syria. Growing…

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More aid reaches Syria’s quake victims but it’s not enough, say UN aid agencies

More aid reaches Syria’s quake victims but it’s not enough, say UN aid agencies

A total of 14 trucks crossed into opposition-held areas of Syria from Türkiye at Bab al-Hawa, the UN migration agency, IOM, confirmed. That crossing is the only one authorised for aid deliveries by the UN Security Council, which has prompted calls – including from the Secretary-General – “to explore all possible avenues to get aid and personnel into all affected…

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Türkiye, Syria quake latest: full scale of disaster still unfolding, UN humanitarians warn

Türkiye, Syria quake latest: full scale of disaster still unfolding, UN humanitarians warn

According to the Government of Türkiye, at least 3,381 people died and more than 20,000 were injured after a 7.8 magnitude quake struck close to the southern city of Gaziantep early on Monday, followed by another 7.5 magnitude earthquake several hours later. Almost 6,000 buildings have reportedly collapsed in the country, too, said Jens Laerke,…

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