The United Nations has launched humanitarian appeals to fund assistance to millions of people affected by earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria last week.
The UN on Thursday launched a $1 billion appeal for Türkiye and earlier this week it asked for $397 million to aid the people of earthquake-ravaged Syria. The funding covers a three-month-period.
Announcing the appeal for Türkiye on 16 February, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged the international community to step up and fully fund the response effort.
“Türkiye is home to the largest number of refugees in the world and has shown enormous generosity to its Syrian neighbours for years,” he said.
“Now is the time for the world to support the people of Türkiye – just as they have stood in solidarity with others seeking assistance.”
The UN and partners have been rushing to support Türkiye and neighbouring Syria in the wake of the devastating earthquakes that struck on 6 February near the Türkiye-Syria border.
More than nine million people in Türkiye alone have been directly impacted by the once-in-a-generation disaster, which has left over 35,000 people dead.
$397 million needed for Syrians
The UN Secretary-General on Tuesday announced a $397 million humanitarian appeal to aid the people of earthquake-ravaged Syria, to help secure “desperately needed” relief for nearly five million people.
“The human suffering from this epic natural disaster should not be made even worse by manmade obstacles – access, funding, supplies,” the UN Secretary-General said when he announced the appeal for Syria.
“Aid must get through from all sides, to all sides, through all routes – without any restrictions”.
Türkiye-Syria Earthquake
One of the worst disasters this century has impacted millions of people and left thousands homeless following the devastating earthquakes.
The earthquakes hit communities at the peak of winter, leaving hundreds of thousands of people, including small children and older people, without access to shelter, food, water, heat and medical care in freezing cold temperatures.
A massive search and rescue operation continues and humanitarian partners are rapidly ramping up efforts to provide life-saving assistance.
You can help too. Please click here to donate.
For further information:
Humanitarian appeal for Türkiye see here and here.
