Earthquake-related developments in Syria – 4th day
A child in Aleppo city standing on the rubble of a building which collapsed after the Turkey-Syria earthquake – North Press
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Four days after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, thousands of Syrians remain outdoors as minor aftershocks are still affecting the region. Yesterday, more buildings collapsed and many others remain damaged. Search and rescue efforts continue, though emergency teams are beginning to lose hope of finding any more survivors under the rubble. A state of emergency has been declared by all parties in the country.
The provision of humanitarian aid has been largely driven by political and diplomatic considerations. Aid has been funneled to the Syrian government while millions of Syrian in other areas are struggling to save people trapped under the rubble or help survivors cope with the crisis.
Figures
North Press’ Documentation and Monitoring Department, based on information obtained from correspondent teams in all Syrian territories, has confirmed the death of 3.840 people, and the injury of 7.000. Up to now, 65% of all people retrieved from the rubble had survived the earthquake. However, as the fourth day has come and went, rescue teams are starting to lose hope of finding people alive.
In areas under the Syrian government forces, 1.768 deaths have been recorded, while the toll of injuries stands at 3.785. In areas under the Turkish-backed Syrian opposition, the death toll has reached 2.060 and injuries 3.150. These figures are subject to changes, as rescue efforts and the search for survivors continue. No changes were made to figures in areas of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). About 200 children and 164 women have been documented dead across the country.
Regarding damage caused to vital facilities and infrastructure by the earthquake and its aftershocks, 903 houses and buildings have collapsed. 2.000 others are partially destroyed or damaged. Ruling authorities in all areas are trying to evacuate damaged houses.
General situation
Syrian government areas
Around 5.553 people are said to have been killed or injured by the earthquake. However, this figure is not final, as rescue efforts continue in Aleppo, Idlib, Tartus, Hama and the countryside of Idlib. People in those areas are living on the streets, in their cars, or in public squares fearing further tremors. A fuel crisis has added an additional burden to local residents.
Yesterday evening, a building collapsed in the city of Harasta in Rif Dimashq, killing one person and injuring another.
A five-story building was demolished by the Syrian government in al-Shaar neighborhood in Aleppo. Many more are to be razed in coming days to avert further losses.
Recently, rescue teams and humanitarian aid arrived from Tunisia and Venezuela. Aid has been arriving from Lebanon, Algeria, Iraq, Bahrain, Egypt, UAE, Russia and Iran, in addition to local initiatives.
The Syrian government has launched online campaigns to call for the lifting of sanctions in order for aid to be delivered. However, the US State Department said the sanctions do not hinder the provision of aid.
Families in Aleppo stay in parks fearing collapse of buildings due to aftershocks – North Press
Opposition-held areas
Rescue teams are working relentlessly in north Aleppo and the countryside of Idlib, searching for survivors and retrieving bodies. The toll of deaths and injuries has reached 5.210 people. Nearly 7.000 people remain homeless owing to massive destruction of residential buildings in these areas.
Rescue teams, as well as medical and relief professionals are in short supply. Up to now, no aid has been delivered to these areas, although the Bab al-Hawa border crossing remains open. The area also suffers under a shortage of fuel. For its part, the AANES said 100 oil tankers were ready to be delivered to northwest Idlib via the Umm al-Jaloud crossing in Manbij, which Turkish-backed factions have closed until now.
The earthquake has destroyed a berm on the Orontes River, flooding a village and forcing residents to evacuate.
The Orontes River floods villages in Idlib, northwest Syria, as a result of opening dams by Turkey on Feb. 9 – North Press
AANES areas
The state of emergency that had been declared in North and East Syria is still in effect. Most families have not yet returned to their homes and have been taking shelter either in accommodation centers, in public parks or in their cars. People are fearful of returning to their homes due to damage.
A water reservoir that has been feeding 18 villages in Kobani has been damaged and put out of commission by the earthquake.
The AANES has declared a donation initiative for areas hit by the earthquake, as no external aid has been delivered to the AANES.
Families of Aleppo flee the city to the IDP camps in Shahba – North Press
Humanitarian situation
Turkey has rejected letting aid sent by the AANES cross into areas under the control of the opposition. There is no indication that it will send aid or allow any external relief to these areas, though the destruction and damage in Syria is no less aggravating than that in Turkey.
Thousands of Syrians in all areas affected by the earthquake are in dire need of UN and international aid, medicine and relief, as well as rescue teams. Only airports under the control of the Syrian government are open to aid. The UN Security Council and all agencies should device other mechanisms to deliver aid to these areas.
All survivors, notably children, are in need of financial and psychological support.