UN appeals for nearly $400 million for Syria quake victims

The UN Secretary-General on Tuesday announced a $397 million humanitarian appeal to aid the people of earthquake-struck Syria, to help secure “desperately needed” relief for nearly five million people.

António Guterres told reporters outside the Security Council in New York that aid “must get through from all sides” and the funding would cover an initial period of three months, UN website reported.

“The Syria effort brings together the entire UN system and humanitarian partners and will help secure desperately needed, life-saving relief for nearly 5 million Syrians – including shelter, healthcare, food and protection.”

“We all know that lifesaving aid has not been getting in at the speed and scale needed”, the UN chief said, with millions of people “struggling for survival, homeless and in freezing temperatures.”

He called on all Member States, and others in the donor community, “to fully fund this effort without delay and help the millions of children, women and men whose lives have been upended by this generational disaster.

“This is a moment for unity, for common humanity and concerted action,” according to Guterres.

“One week after the devastating earthquakes, millions of people across the region are struggling for survival, homeless and in freezing temperatures. We are doing all we can to change this. But much more is needed,” Guterres pleaded.

Guterres also urged that aid workers be allowed to operate freely in Syria.

E.M