Today's top news: Syria

Syria

This morning’s earthquake has heavily impacted north-west Syria where 4.1 million people, most of them women and children, were already relying on humanitarian assistance.

224 buildings were completely destroyed and at least 325 partially damaged and in 17 subdistricts, according to initial information.

Preliminary assessments indicate that the sub-districts of Harim, Atmeh, Sarmada, Atareb, and Kafr Takharim are among the worst hit areas.

Partners have reported that their offices and warehouses have been damaged and hospitals are overwhelmed. There are urgent needs for tents and non-food items, in particular blankets, heating fuel, stoves and plastic sheets.

We and our partners are monitoring the situation on the ground, despite power shortages and chronic disruptions to telecommunications. Several partners have launched assessments and results are expected in the coming days.

International Organization for Migration and the Office for High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) partners have a total stock of some 2,000 tents and approximately 1,700 non-food Item kits pre-positioned inside north-west Syria.

UNHCR reported that 1,000 additional tents are available in its warehouse in Gaziantep.

The World Health Organization has released trauma kits from warehouses to at least 16 hospitals in north-west Syria.

We are also looking to mobilize emergency funds in the region.

The earthquake is expected to disrupt aid operations in north-west Syria, given the impact on roads, the supply chain and logistics facilities. We along with our humanitarian partners have been assisting 2.7 million people per month in northwest Syria via cross-border air deliveries.

 United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination teams are being deployed to support the response in Turkey.