Over 21,000 dead from quake in Turkey and Syria: Live updates
12:48 p.m. ET, Feb. 9, 2023
UN chief ‘very happy’ at ability to deliver aid through non-UN sanctioned Turkey-Syria border crossings
By Richard Roth of CNN in New York and Jessie Gretener in London
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was open to the idea of delivering aid to Syria through more border crossings, with the exception of the Bab al-Hawa crossing – the only humanitarian aid corridor allowed by the UN between the Turkey and the rebel-held countries was approved areas of northern Syria.
“I would of course be very happy if the Security Council could reach a consensus to allow the use of more crossings, as we also need to increase our capacity for cross-border operations from Damascus to Idlib,” Guterres said. “Many don’t – UN agencies are already delivering through other crossings.”
On Tuesday, the United Nations said the Bab al-Hawa crossing point was “essentially intact,” but the road leading to the crossing was damaged by Monday’s earthquake, hampering relief efforts.
The first United Nations convoy, consisting of six trucks, drove through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing into northern Syria on Thursday, Guterres said. He said the “UN has done its best to respond quickly,” adding that “more help is on the way, but much more, much more is needed.”
“The earthquake came as the humanitarian crisis in north-west Syria was already deepening and needs were at their highest level since the conflict began,” Guterres said, describing the urgent need to bring urgent humanitarian aid to Syria. “We are sadly aware that we have not yet seen the full extent of the damage and the humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes.”
Guterres said the UN will launch a lightning call for donor support to Syria early next week. He added that US$25 million has already been released from the UN Central Emergency Relief Fund for Syria and UN agencies and international and national NGOs are assessing their initial funding needs over the next three months.
“These resources are used by the humanitarian community for essential assistance: shelter, health, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, education, protection and mental health support services,” Guterres explained.
Guterres also said that Martin Griffiths, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, is already in Turkey to survey the areas affected by the earthquake. Griffiths will also visit Gaziantep, Aleppo and Damascus to assess aid needs.