The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Twitter today that he was “heading” to Syria, which, along with neighboring Turkey, was hit on Monday by an earthquake that has already claimed more than 20,000 lives.
“I am on my way to Syria, where WHO is supporting essential health care in areas affected by the recent earthquake, building on our longstanding work in the country,” wrote Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on his Twitter account.
on the way to #SyriaSub @WHO supports essential health care in the areas affected by the recent earthquake, building on our longstanding work across the country. pic.twitter.com/VUA6xg0OZW
– Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) February 9, 2023
At almost the same time, the United Nations announced that Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, will visit affected areas in Turkey and Syria this weekend, with visits to Gaziantep in southern Turkey, and Aleppo in northwestern Syria .
Towards communities affected by the earthquakes in #Turkey And #Syria.
Grateful for the tireless efforts of relief teams already on the scene, but access and resources are critical in this hour of crisis. pic.twitter.com/fklPDJbrlx
—Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) February 9, 2023
Syria on Wednesday asked the European Union (EU) for help with relief efforts.
The EU has already mobilized 25 search and rescue teams, involving nearly 1,200 rescuers from 21 countries, including Portugal, to assist Turkish authorities in rescue operations continuing after Monday’s earthquake.
Source: DN
