Syrian Arab Republic - February 2023

A devastating earthquake (registering 7.8 on the Richter scale) hit south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria on 6 February and was followed by numerous aftershocks. It is estimated that more than 7,000 Syrians have died and up to 5.3 million have been displaced. In Syria, a humanitarian disaster is unfolding as the effects of the earthquakes have exacerbated an already dire situation, and the ongoing civil war has hindered efforts to reach survivors. The first UN aid convoy reached the country on 9 February after roads leading to the only authorized border crossing for northwest Syria had been damaged by the earthquake. President Bashar al-Assad initially demanded that the government receive all foreign aid for further distribution. However, the UN and President Assad reached an agreement on 13 February to open two additional border crossings from Turkey. Syrians have criticized delays in getting aid to the area, blaming the UN for slow response, and for waiting on permission from the Syrian government. Despite a five times larger death toll in Syria's rebel-held territories than those controlled by the government, north-west Syria has only received 13 per cent of all assistance arriving in the country.

The UN estimates close to nine million people have been affected by the earthquake, and Syria is facing greater levels of cholera outbreaks

Sources: Reuters, Relief Web, Al Jazeera, United Nations News, Middle East Monitor