Death toll of Turkey-Syria earthquake nearly reaching 40,000 as Syrians lose hope.
By Bethany Morley / GICJ
It has been 10 days since the devastating earthquake hit on the 6th of February 2023, impacting over seven provinces in Turkey and a large area in Northern Syria. Thus far, the Turkish authorities reported there to be 31,643 deaths, while the UN has reported more than 5,800 fatalities in Syria.
As the death-toll continues to rise daily in both countries, hopes for more survivors fade slowly. Both countries are preparing for the inevitable reduction in operations, as low temperatures and critical days pass since the earthquake hit, the chances of survivors continue to decrease.
Because of the disparate forms of governance and control in different territories, Syria has a greater need than Turkey. Victims of the earthquake in Turkey are getting substantive support from both the Turkish government and the international community. However, since the earthquake, the devastating reality of the lack of co-ordination between the governing bodies, and the disparities in aid provided to the two countries is becoming increasingly more apparent.
Prior to the earthquake Syria was already facing a humanitarian catastrophe due to almost 12 years of hostilities, millions of civilians already being internally displaced because of the war and a health crisis.
Further, prior to the earthquake the UN said 2.1 million people in Syria’s north-west were acutely at risk from cholera. Prior to the earthquake there were not enough medical facilities to facilitate or treat those at risk of cholera. Now, the situation is even more dire. Due to the earthquake, there are very limited medical facilities to treat victims of the earthquake, let alone those acutely at risk of cholera. Syria has been continually pleading for more assistance to build medical facilities, provide medical assistance and medical staff even before the earthquake.
Syria has been crying out for international aid since the earthquake on the 6th of February. However, since the earthquake only 52 trucks carrying food and other aid have entered the region, there were no resources, no proper equipment, further the boarders were not opened to provide the aid, machinery and tools needed to save those trapped under the rubble. Leaving families, friends, and Syrian organised groups to be the first responders.
The White Helmets are a group of volunteer Syrian first aid responders. They have been working hard since the earthquake to try and locate survivors. Yet, due to the limited resources and the little international and non-international assistance provided the people of Syria have begun to lose hope.
In Haram, Syria there is reported to be barely any activity. They have been living with the aftermath of the earthquake for 10 days now with no help. Further, in Jindires, 1200 people have died in the town. However, reportedly not a single member of the international rescue community came to the town. It is no surprise that their feelings of helplessness are rising.
Syrian news outlets and individuals reporting on the state of their country have expressed their disappointment in the international community, the United Nations and the lack of aid provided. 10 days after the catastrophe, they are losing hope of finding any survivors. There have been multiple reports of civilians in Syria, saying it is too late. The voices of their families stuck under the rubble have ceased. The aid that they so desperately needed in these critical days after the earthquake has failed them.
The United Nations
Further, the UN now has only two approved cross-border mechanism between Turkey and Syria – Bab al-Hawa that goes into Idlib province, which was established in 2014 to offer a lifeline to millions of civilians in areas where the Syrian regime had failed to provide humanitarian aid. On the 9th of February, the UN Security Council voted to extend cross-border aid operations for an additional six months saying ‘humanitarian needs have reached the highest levels since the start of the conflict in 2011. With people in Syria grappling with a harsh winter and cholera outbreak.
However, even with this knowledge the United Nations and the international community have failed to provide the humanitarian aid that was promised, at a time where Syria is most desperate. In the areas most in need, aid has been constricted by those attempting to come to political agreements about how the civil war in Syria should end to the detriment of those who require urgent assistance
Position of Geneva International Centre for Justice
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) we continue to share our deepest condolences to the victims of the earthquake. The scale, severity, and complexity of needs across Syria were continually overwhelming. The international community and organisations must further mobilise to prioritise reaching the areas of Syria more in need, to help with the aftermath of the earthquake, provide the medical assistance needed and prioritise delivering aid over politics.
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