Türkiye President Calls Quake “Disaster Of The Century” As Death Toll Reaches 21,000

Amid the major earthquake hit in Türkiye and Syria, the death toll has reached 21,000, which kept on climbing today as well. The first United Nation aid has reached Syrian rebel-held zones but hopes of finding more survivors faded. Turkish President Recap Tayyip Erdogan has called the earthquake “the disaster of the century.”

WHO chief stance on the quake

According to the chief of the World Health Organisation (WHO), he was on his way to Syria, as the bitter cold hampered the search for thousands of flattened buildings and threatened the lives of many quake victims who are without shelter and drinking water.

Relatives were left scouring body bags laid out in a hospital car park in Türkiye’s southern city of Antakya to search for missing relatives, an indication of the scale of the tragedy. Speaking to the media, a Syrian refugee, Rania Zaboubi said, “We found my aunt, but not my uncle.” She lost almost eight members of her family during the quake-hit.

Taking notes from the situation, the experts have said that the chances of finding survivors have dimmed now that the 72-hour mark. They have considered the most likely period to save lives has passed.

On Thursday, the WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has that he was heading to Syria. He tweeted, “On my way to Syria, where WHO is supporting essential health care in the areas affected by the recent earthquake.”

Also Read: Türkiye Quake: President Erdogan Admits ‘Shortcomings’ As Death Toll Soars Over 16,000

World Bank pledges to send aid

After the tragedy, several international organisations including World Bank are gathering pace to send help to the effective countries. The World Bank pledged $1.78 billion in aid to Türkiye including immediate finance for rebuilding basic infrastructure and supporting those affected by the earthquakes.

But the efforts of 100,000 or more rescue personnel on the ground are being hampered by several logistical hurdles including vehicle shortages and devastated roads.

Moreover, UN chief Antonio Guterres has warned the full extent of the catastrophe was still “unfolding before our eyes”, especially in Syria where a long-running civil war has devastated the country. He also promised more help was on its way and he urged the UN Security Council to allow supplies to be delivered through more than one border crossing.

“This is the moment of unity, it’s not a moment to politicise or to divide but it is obvious that we need massive support,” the UN chief said.

On Thursday, the first UN humanitarian aid crossed the border into north-western Syria through Idlib’s Bab al-Hawa crossing. The crossing is the only way UN aid can reach the region without travelling through areas controlled by Syrian government forces.