WHO: Mega Earthquake Hit 23 Million People in Turkey, Syria

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that the number of people affected by the devastating earthquake, which claimed thousands of lives in Turkey and Syria yesterday (Monday), has reached 23 million people.

"The map of events shows an expectation that the number of those who may have been affected (by the earthquake) is 23 million, including about 5 million in a vulnerable situation," said WHO official Adelheid Marchang, before the executive committee of the United Nations agency, yesterday (Tuesday).

"The national authorities in both Syria and Turkey are focusing on search and rescue operations at the present time," said the "WHO in a tweet on "Twitter."

The UN organization notes that it expects an increase in the need for care related to injuries to treat the wounded, and to support the entire health system in the affected areas.

For its part; the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that "thousands of children and families are at risk."

"The images we see from Syria and Turkey are painful," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.