UN reduction chief meets households affected by devastating earthquake — International Points

Mr. Griffiths was talking within the Turkish metropolis of Kahramanmaraş, the place restoration efforts are ongoing in frigid temperatures.

He met with households left homeless by the catastrophe and listened to their tales of shock and devastation. 

“I’m right here to make it possible for these individuals additionally should not forgotten,” he mentioned.

Hope for survivors

The UN reduction chief additionally spoke with search and rescue groups as they carried out their operations within the devastated central elements of the town, amid collapsed buildings with excavation tools digging by means of the particles.

UN groups are already on the bottom, and greater than 130 nations have dispatched responders, sniffer canine, specialists and different personnel.

“There has by no means been a global response, a Turkish response, to a pure catastrophe, as we see right here in these horrible days,” mentioned Mr. Griffiths.

He praised the braveness of individuals, together with dad and mom, who’re working around the clock in efforts to rescue their households and kids from the rubble – “hoping for another sound, for another individual to outlive.”

Humanitarian assist

It’s estimated that greater than 20,000 individuals have died within the double earthquake, which struck southeastern Türkiye and northern Syria early on Monday morning. 

Hundreds of thousands extra have been left homeless, together with Syrians displaced by the 12-year warfare of their homeland and hundreds of refugees who’ve fled throughout the border.

For Mr. Griffiths, the following part might be to take care of these affected by the tragedy.

“And I’ve met a few of them already right now,” he mentioned, “individuals who’ve misplaced their houses, whose youngsters haven’t got colleges to go to, who haven’t any meals, who haven’t any cash, who rely upon the generosity of the Turkish individuals, the Turkish authorities and the worldwide group.”

Mr. Griffiths is predicted to go to the UN-authorised cross-border operation to Syria within the south of Türkiye on Sunday earlier than travelling there.

The UN and companions can even launch appeals for the 2 nations.

In a video on his Twitter, Mr. Griffiths mentioned “I hope what we are going to see is identical type of beneficiant, instant and pressing worldwide response to humanitarian wants that we’ve got seen to these organizations serving to the individuals of those cities to rescue the dwelling from the lifeless.” 

Heartbreaking situations

In the meantime, the pinnacle of the World Well being Group (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, arrived in Aleppo, Syria, on Saturday.

“I’m heartbroken to see the situations survivors are dealing with – freezing climate and intensely restricted entry to shelter, meals, water, warmth and medical care,” he wrote in a submit on his official Twitter account.

In a separate tweet, Tedros recounted how he met two infants, Nour and Omar, who misplaced their dad and mom within the earthquake. 

“There aren’t any phrases to precise the ache they’re going by means of. Grateful to colleagues and companions who’re offering them with wanted care, consolation and love,” he wrote.