Four to five families were packed into tents, and the risk of disease is growing, amid pre-existing cholera outbreaks, he said. At the same time, food prices are skyrocketing, and women and children face increased harassment, violence, and risk of exploitation.
Race against time
Briefing on the current situation, UN relief chief Martin Griffiths described the earthquakes’ aftermath in Syria and Türkiye, which killed at least 50,000 and left many more injured, tens of thousands of people missing, and hundreds of thousands homeless. A serious political way forward will require a serious conversation among key stakeholders to make progress on some of the unresolved political issues of the conflict, that could block much-needed recovery after this disaster, he said. This will require less posturing, less rhetoric, and more pragmatism, he added.
Children need homes, not tents
Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefs UN Security Council members on the situation in Syria. The worst-affected area was hit again by strong aftershocks just on Monday, he added. Even before this latest tragedy, some 15.3 million people, or 70 per cent of the country’s population, needed humanitarian assistance stemming from the ongoing conflict. “Many people are afraid to return to their homes,” he said, recalling a visit to quake-affected areas, where hundreds of buildings are still at high risk of collapsing, with thousands more that may need to be demolished.
70 per cent need aid
The UN Emergency Coordinator and the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria called for robust support for ongoing emergency efforts and a “bold” plan for paving a political path towards lasting recovery and reconciliation.
The UN Emergency Coordinator and the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria called for robust support for ongoing emergency efforts and a “bold” plan for paving a political path towards lasting recovery and reconciliation.
