UN Envoy for Syria calls for not politicizing quake-related aid
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said on Thursday Syrians affected by the earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey on Feb. 6 need “more of absolutely everything” in terms of aid away from politics.
Syrian people are greatly affected by the earthquake since they already suffer from the impacts of the 12-year-old ongoing war amid dire economic conditions and a lack of disaster management essentials.
Pedersen told reporters in a press briefing in Geneva, “It’s desperately needed by civilians wherever they are, irrespective of borders and boundaries.”
The UN Envoy called for assurances that there would be no political hindrances to getting aid to where it was most needed.
He said the UN had been assured the first assistance would cross from Turkey into Syria on Thursday.
Areas under the control of the opposition receive UN relief assistance through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, which has been the only crossing kept open to UN aid based on Resolution 2533 (2020), while the use of the others was curtailed.
Meanwhile, the government-held areas receive international aid relief through airports.
Pedersen promised to deliver aid to all Syrian areas affected by the earthquake that killed more than 3.583 and injured at least 6.342 others in a provisional count.