UN implores Damascus to extend approval for post-quake aid access
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The United Nations (UN) has asked Syria’s government to extend its approval for two additional crossings to deliver post-earthquake aid into opposition-held areas, a UN humanitarian aid agency spokesperson said on Friday.
A day before the permission’s expiry, UN humanitarian aid agency spokesperson Jens Laerke told Reuters that the agency had requested “an extension of the special measures adopted after the 6 February earthquakes to continue facilitating the humanitarian response to all affected areas.”
On Feb. 14, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has agreed to allow UN aid deliveries to opposition-held areas in northwest Syria through Bab al-Salameh and al-Rai border crossings with Turkey for three months.
The authorization of the two border crossings is set to expire on May 13.
On the same day, Amnesty International appealed that the UN should continue delivering aid to northwestern Syria through Bab al-Salameh and al-Rai border crossings regardless of whether the Syrian government renews their authorization.
Since July 2020, the UN has been delivering aid to the conflict-torn area of north-west Syria through the Bab al-Hawa crossing on the border with Turkey.
At dawn on Feb. 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Syria and Turkey, killing thousands and injuring much more. The earthquake also caused immense destruction of buildings, trapping thousands under the rubble.
At least 1.414 deaths and 2.349 injuries have been confirmed in government-held areas, while 2.274 deaths and 12.400 injuries in northwest Syria. As for the areas of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), six deaths and 57 injuries were confirmed, according to statistics released by the authorities in the three regions.