The recent earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria has caused widespread destruction and devastation, with over 33,000 fatalities reported so far, as USA TODAY NEWS reveals. The magnitude of the disaster has overwhelmed local authorities and rescue teams, who are struggling to keep up with the sheer number of demands for assistance.
The earthquake caused widespread damage to buildings, leaving thousands of people homeless and in need of shelter, food, and medical assistance. The number of people who have been injured is also reported to be in the thousands, with many more still trapped under rubble and in need of rescue.
Martin Griffiths wrote on Twitter the following:
At the #Türkiye-#Syria border today.
We have so far failed the people in north-west Syria.
They rightly feel abandoned. Looking for international help that hasn’t arrived.
My duty and our obligation is to correct this failure as fast as we can.
That’s my focus now.
At the #Türkiye–#Syria border today.
We have so far failed the people in north-west Syria.
They rightly feel abandoned. Looking for international help that hasn’t arrived.
My duty and our obligation is to correct this failure as fast as we can.
That’s my focus now.— Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) February 12, 2023
On my way to #Syria, where @WHO is supporting essential health care in the areas affected by the recent earthquake, building on our long-standing work across the country. pic.twitter.com/VUA6xg0OZW
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) February 9, 2023
It’s difficult to describe in words the tragedy that Turkey and Syria residents had to face because of the earthquakes. The jolts reached magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5, while 120 other earthquakes hit the regions.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the southern region of Turkey on Monday and the northern part of Syria, causing widespread destruction and taking the lives of thousands. As of Sunday afternoon, Turkey reported 29,605 fatalities, while in Syria’s rebel-held region, the number of deaths reached 2,166, as reported by the White Helmets rescue worker group. In Syria as a whole, the death toll stands at 3,553, with reports of 1,387 deaths in government-held regions that have not been updated for several days.
In Syria, it is estimated that up to 5.3 million people are in need of shelter according to the U.N. Refugee Agency, and the death toll continues to climb.
