Today's top news: Syria, Türkiye

Dr Ahmad Jumaa (right) is a health worker at the Al-Refah hospital in Jandairis, one of towns in north-west Syria, most affected by the earthquakes. The hospital is supported by an NGO, Syria Relief and Development OCHA/Madevi Sun-Suon

Syria

Today, 38 UN trucks crossed into the north-west. This brings the total number of UN trucks that have crossed into north-west Syria since February 9th to 423 trucks. This is an average of 23 trucks per day, which is slightly above pre-earthquake levels.

Our top priorities remain scaling up the humanitarian response in the areas of shelter, winterization, and cash support.

Yesterday, a UN inter-agency team from Qamishli City, in northeast Syria, delivered a truck carrying emergency supplies during a cross-line mission to Ras Al-Ain town in Al-Hasakeh Governorate. The truck contained supplies from UNICEF, including chlorination tables and hygiene and midwives’ kits. During the mission, the UN team assessed a medical centre. This is the second crossline mission to Ras Al-Ain district after the first one undertaken by UNICEF and WHO on October 27th of 2022.

According to an UN-backed assessment, overcrowding is the most common issue in collective shelters for people displaced by the earthquakes. Several families are staying in the same space without privacy and safety. Lack of gender segregation in shelters and bathrooms was also frequently observed.

We urgently need more funding. The Syria Flash appeal is nearly 40 per cent funded, having received $156.6 million out of the requested nearly $400 million.

Türkiye

The $1 billion Flash Appeal for the country is currently 7 per cent funded at nearly $73 million. We continue to support the Government-led humanitarian response in the country.

Our colleagues at UN Development Programme have sent waste bins and other materials to help authorities collect and move waste and sanitize rubble, while the UN Population Fund has reached more than 6,600 people with dignity and maternity kits, as well as reproductive health commodities and services.