UNICEF Australia makes Appeal to assist Syria, Turkey after quakes
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – UNICEF Australia launched on Monday an appeal to help tens of thousands of children impacted by the devastating earthquakes that hit Syrian-Turkish border.
The UNICEF said, in its appeal, its teams are working on providing the affected areas with medical aid, blankets, warm clothing, clean drinking water, sanitation, and shelter in addition to reuniting separated children with their families.
At about 04:17 am on Monday, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, leaving thousands dead and injured and caused considerable material damage.
Victims’ toll of the earthquake has reached 1.515 deaths and more than 3.605 injury cases across Syria by Tuesday morning.
While in Turkey, the toll of deaths has reached 4.896 dead and more than 24.000 injured.
Earlier, World Health Organization (WHO) expects the toll of victims in both countries will double four times in the week to follow since the strong earthquake struck vast residential areas.
UNICEF spokesperson Joe English said, “The needs are going to be immense… not days or weeks, this will take months. We are there and we are responding.”
The earthquake exacerbated the situation in Syria, as there were already 6.5 million children at risk due to the 12-year old civil war, according to the appeal.
Families affected by the disastrous earthquake who were able to run out prior to the collapse of their buildings are forced to stay out in freezing conditions, facing rain and snow.