NAME: MARJORIE P. GUIDO DATE: FEB.

20, 2023
GR.&SEC: 10 – GARNET

EARTHQUAKE ON SYRIA AND TURKEY

On February 6, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 shook the border between Turkey and
Syria, with strong aftershocks. The number of victims is unfortunately increasing and already exceeds 5,000
people, more than 16,000 people are injured. Rescues in both Turkey and Syria are hampered by weather
conditions.The earthquake has particularly devastating consequences, as it affected populated areas in Turkey,
while in northwestern Syria, even before the earthquake, there were more than 4.1 million people, mainly women
and girls, dependent on humanitarian aid. More than 7,800 people have died in Turkey and Syria due to
earhquakes. Tens of thousands more are injured and trapped under collapsed buildingOne obstacle in providing
aid quickly in Syria is that the government does not control all of the northwest, the area hardest hit by the
earthquake. Coordinated assistance by the UN to Syria’s northwest arrives across the border from Turkey, while
Damascus is where assistance is coordinated within the rest of government-controlled Syria.
The earthquake triggered fires throughout northern Turkey and southern Syria and resulted in serious
flooding in areas of Syrian that are already as a result of natural and human factors faced with serious hazards
and destruction. The health implications are grave as a result of the attacks, and more than 4,000 people have
been wounded in attacks targeting the Turkish bordermwith Syria and the Turkish police. This resulted in up to
55,000 Turkish citizens evacuated to safety in Syria, and 25,000 Turkish troops have been dispatched to protect
Turkish personnel, Turkish border postings, and Turkish patrols across the border in the Syrian areas where
threats against the Turkish people are still present, particularly in the FATA areas in Iraq.
The large scale of the response will take time and will involve extensive coordination between the Syrian
government, the UN and other agencies, international agencies and the private sector. It will be crucial to ensure
a unified response in order to mitigate disaster risk and provide the best possible assistance to the victims of the
earthquake. International donors have a major role to play in this regar. In order to deliver assistance to those in
need, it is necessary to mobilize the necessary resources in a coordinated manner. In addition, it is vital that
international agencies and local government ensure that local people's needs are met. We must provide
immediate assistance to those in need by distributing shelter and food. An essential element of any response will
be the provision of psychological support to those affected. For those in Syria that have not been able to escape
the country, I urge them to remain calm and trust the UN and local authorities.