‘We’re In A Race Against Time To Save Lives’: WHO After Releasing Contingency Fund For Earthquake-Hit Turkey And Syria

“With the weather conditions and ongoing aftershocks, we’re in a race against time to save lives. ?People need shelter, food, clean water and medical care, for injuries resulting from the earthquake, but also for other health needs,” WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said.

“WHO has released US$3 million from the Contingency Fund for Emergencies for the response in both countries. WHO is providing medical supplies, supporting both countries to respond and working with partners to provide specialised medical care.”?

“In addition, 77 national and 13 international Emergency Medical Teams are deploying to both countries. Emergency Medical Teams are made up of health professionals from around the world who are trained to provide life-saving care in emergency situations,” he added.

On 6 February 2023, a series of massive earthquakes struck south-eastern Turkey near the border with the E. These and hundreds of aftershocks caused significant destruction on each side of the border, claiming thousands of lives across both countries and damaging or destroying essential infrastructure, including health facilities.

“These have been some of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in a century, prompting a global humanitarian response – including from WHO and other United Nations partners – at the request of the Turkish Government,” WHO says.