The death toll in Turkey and Syria rose to 21,000 on Friday, 100 hours after a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the region. Search and rescue efforts are still underway but the chances of finding survivors are slim. The bitter cold has hampered rescue efforts, but there have been some miraculous moments of hope, such as the rescue of 16-year-old Melda Adtas in the city of Antakya.
UN Aid Arrives in Rebel-Held Zones
The first UN aid deliveries arrived in Syrian rebel-held zones on Thursday, but much more help is needed in the quake-ravaged region. World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths are planning trips to affected areas, while the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, has already arrived in Aleppo.
A decade of civil war and bombing in the region has already destroyed hospitals, the economy, and led to electricity, fuel and water shortages, making the aftermath of this disaster even more difficult. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the Security Council to authorise the opening of new cross-border humanitarian aid points between Turkey and Syria.
Bitter Cold Adds to the Misery
Temperatures in Gaziantep, near the epicentre of the quake, have fallen to minus three degrees Celsius, making life even more difficult for those affected. Despite the cold, thousands are still sleeping in cars and makeshift tents, too scared or banned from returning to their homes. The World Bank has pledged $1.78 billion in aid to Turkey to help with relief and recovery efforts, and dozens of other countries, including the US and China, have also pledged to help.
Rising Death Toll and Anger at the Government’s Handling of the Disaster
The death toll is expected to continue to rise, and anger is mounting over the government’s handling of the disaster. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan admitted there had been “shortcomings” in the government’s response, but the search for survivors continues despite the difficulties.
The earthquake’s economic cost is estimated to exceed $2 billion and could reach $4 billion or more, according to Fitch Ratings. The disaster has added to the already desperate plight of a region that has suffered for years from civil war and displacement.
