Syrians denounce failed aid response after devastating quake

Syrian activists decry the dearth of worldwide help to quake victims in its hard-hit northwest area.

Bab al-Hawa, Syria – With tons of of individuals trapped, rescuers have lamented the dearth of worldwide humanitarian help desperately wanted after the devastating earthquake that killed hundreds in northwest Syria.

Whereas rescue groups and volunteers from all over the world have made their solution to Turkey, medical volunteer Obaida Rannoush referred to as out the inaction of the worldwide group with regards to his nation.

“I name on the worldwide group, the Arab international locations, and the United Nations to urgently assist us,” he mentioned, standing by the Bab al-Hawa border crossing.

“Greater than 60 hours after the quake came about, there are nonetheless tons of trapped underneath the particles. We can't rescue them due to our meagre assets. We'd like heavy equipment, humanitarian and medical support,” he mentioned.

Till now, he went on to say, not a single humanitarian convoy has crossed the border.

“Now we have not obtained any type of help,” Rannoush mentioned. “We're standing right here by the border crossing to ask for humanitarian support so we will save among the individuals underneath the rubble.”

On Wednesday, the World Well being Group (WHO) mentioned it's deploying groups and three flights with medical provides to Turkey and Syria.

“The well being wants are large,” mentioned Dr Iman Shankiti, the WHO consultant for Syria.

Many hundreds are additionally injured, Shankiti mentioned, including that the Syrian healthcare system was already on its knees after years of warfare.

Tens of millions affected

In northwest Syria, the sluggish worldwide response is a matter of life or dying for tons of nonetheless trapped underneath the concrete of collapsed buildings.

The shortage of response has prompted dozens of Syrian journalists to stage a sit-in on the Bab al-Hawa crossing.

Mazen Alloush, head of media relations for the Bab al-Hawa border, mentioned tens of millions of Syrians have been affected by the earthquake and its aftershocks.

“The crossing has been closed because the earthquake came about,” he mentioned.

Madevi Solar-Suon, spokesperson for the United Nations Workplace for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), mentioned on Tuesday that support flows from Turkey to northwest Syria have quickly stopped due to the fallout from the earthquake.

“Some roads are damaged, some are inaccessible. There are logistical points that should be labored by means of,” she mentioned.

Funerals however no support

However Alloush rejected these claims, saying the roads are open.

“Each half hour or so we see vehicles carrying the our bodies of Syrian individuals who died within the earthquake in Turkey crossing the border into Syria,” he mentioned. “So how can the roads be closed for support however open for funeral convoys?

“We all know that the UN support is saved within the Turkish metropolis of Reyhanli, which is only one kilometre away from the border crossing,” he added.

Up to now, the our bodies of 300 Syrians who died from the earthquake in Turkey have crossed into Syria for funerals. However Alloush mentioned because the first moments after the quake, Turkey stopped receiving medical sufferers from Syria, and has additionally barred volunteer groups from crossing the border.

“No support has entered [north Syria] by means of any of the corridors,” Abdul Razzak Kentar, programmes supervisor on the Syria Civil Defence, informed Al Jazeera.

“Solely an Egyptian technical staff of 20 individuals, together with medical doctors with out gear, entered by means of the Bab al-Hawa crossing.

“All of the crossings based on official statements have been opened – Bab al-Hawa, Jarabulus, and Bab al-Salamah. However as for the civil defence, we've got not obtained any worldwide or non-international help up to now.

“We're nonetheless working with our reserves and support from native organisations working within the liberated north,” Kentar mentioned.

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