IFRC launches international appeals to help earthquake-affected Turkey, Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Tuesday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched emergency appeals for CHF 200 million to respond to the devastating earthquakes that struck vast areas in Syria and Turkey on Monday.
The IFRC launched two international appeals to help “communities affected” by the earthquake in both Syria and Turkey as “needs are growing minute by minute.”
The IFRC’s appeals allocated CHF 80 million to support people in Syria with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and CHF 120 million to support Turkey with the Turkish Red Crescent.
The victim toll, 30 hours after the devastating 7.8 catastrophic earthquake in the two affected countries, has surged to 4.896 dead and 24.000 injured.
On Monday at 4:17 am, Syria witnessed an earthquake which had its epicenter near the Turkish city of Gaziantep.
The death toll of devastating earthquakes in Syria has reached 1.805 and 3.955 were injured, according to North Press’ Monitoring and Documentation Department.
In Turkey, the deaths have mounted to 3.381 and injuries to 20.426, according the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).
Hundreds are believed to still be trapped under the rubble of thousands of the collapsed buildings in both countries amid harsh winter weather.
Xavier Castellanos, IFRC Under Secretary General for National Society Development and Operations Coordination, stressed, “In this response, every minute counts.”
He added, “The vulnerable living conditions, particularly in Syria, are even further stretched in a decade-long war,” calling for uniting powers and efforts in facing this disaster and help vulnerable societies.
The IFRC noted that increased global support and solidarity to deliver humanitarian assistance is essential in the weeks and months of recovery ahead.