UN: At Least 50,000 Killed in Turkey, Syria Quakes

The U.N. humanitarian head said that the terrible earthquakes that slammed Turkey and Syria have left at least 50,000 people dead, thousands more injured, tens of thousands still missing, and hundreds of thousands displaced.

The magnitude of the devastation is now much evident, according to Martin Griffiths, who addressed the U.N. Security Council three weeks after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria and was followed by powerful aftershocks, including one on Monday: About 6,000 people have died in Syria, mostly in the rebel-held northwest, while at least 44,000 have died in Turkey.

According to U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, the $397.6 million U.N. flash appeal for the Syrian earthquake victims is 42% financed and the $1 billion U.N. appeal for the victims in Turkey is just 7.4% funded. These funds only cover emergency needs for the next three months.

Prior to the earthquakes, 15.3 million people—or 70% of the population—needed humanitarian assistance, according to Griffiths, who also noted that on a post-quake visit, he observed that entire neighbourhoods had been demolished under severe winter weather.

“Early assessments indicated 5 million people in Syria require basic shelter and non-food assistance,” the undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs said. “In many areas, four to five families are packed into tents, with no special facilities for older people, people with chronic illnesses or those with disabilities.”

In addition, Griffiths warned council members that thousands of additional structures may need to be demolished, hundreds of buildings have a high risk of collapse, a cholera outbreak prior to the earthquake is increasing the risk of disease, and the cost of food and other necessities is rising.

“Women and children face increased harassment, violence and risk of exploitation and the need for psychosocial support is great,” he said.

According to Griffiths, equipment for improvised hospitals, machinery for rubble removal, and tools for reestablishing water supply are also needed in Syria.

“The U.N. is working to address unintended obstacles generated by sanctions and counterterrorism laws, including procurement hurdles and delays for materials to repair essential infrastructure, medical supplies, or security equipment for our operations,” he said.

According to a World Bank fast damage assessment report released on Monday, the two very powerful earthquakes that struck Turkey on February 6 "generated an estimated $34.2 billion in direct physical damages," which is equal to 4% of the nation's 2021 GDP.

According to the analysis, costs for recovery and restoration will likely double, and GDP losses due to business disruptions will further increase the price of the earthquakes.