UN continues to deliver cross-border aid to quake-hit Syria, Türkiye

The spokesman for the UN chief Stéphane Dujarric has said that the organization and its partners continue to scale up cross-border aid operations from Türkiye into northwest Syria. 

“On February 20, 10 trucks carrying shelter and other items from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) crossed through the Al-Ra’ee border crossing into northern Aleppo.  This is the first UN convoy through this border crossing since the Government of Syria agreed to its use for aid deliveries, which now brings us to three fully operating border crossings for the United Nations,” Dujarric said, the UN press service informs.

He said that the World Food Programme (WFP) sent 20 trucks through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing into Idlib province:  “This convoy is part of WFP’s larger earthquake response, which includes the delivery of food to 127,000 people in northwest Syria since the earthquake hit. With these convoys, the UN has now dispatched 227 trucks to non-government-held areas in northwest Syria since February 9. Preparations are underway to send more trucks through all three border crossings.”

“We and our partners also continue to scale up operations in other parts of Syria.  Aid in the impacted areas remains a top priority, as thousands of people remain in collective shelters across Latakia, Homs, Hama and Aleppo,” Dujarric noted.

According to the official, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN-Habitat are helping to conduct assessments of structural damage to buildings.  These assessments will help determine whether families can return to homes that are deemed safe.

“We are also trying to find longer-term options for families who cannot return to their homes due to the damaged structures. Food and other aid are being distributed to families, including those who have returned to their homes. Funding remains essential for the wider earthquake response.  As of today, the Syria Flash Appeal is 17 per cent funded, with $68.5 million received towards the $329.1 million plan.”

“In Türkiye, we continue to support the coordination of search and rescue operations.  We, along with our partners, are delivering food, tents, blankets and other supplies, with medical supplies and medical personnel being dispatched to impacted areas.  UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) has reached nearly 218,000 people, including over 132,000 children with hygiene kits and also with winter clothes, electric heaters, jerry cans and other items,” the spokesman added.