WHO expresses concern about lack of information in some regions of both countries, which points to possible underreporting of deaths and injuries
The earthquake that hit Turkey It is Syria in the early hours of Monday the 6th, caused more than 5,000 deaths, according to an updated balance released this Tuesday. The number is still expected to continue rising as the work of emergency teams advances to search for survivors trapped in the rubble. At least 3,419 people died in Turkey and 1,602 in Syria, adding the victims from the government-controlled regions and also from the rebel-held areas, which brings the total to 5,021, according to local authorities and medical sources. At the end of Monday, the World Health Organization expressed its concern for the lack of information in some regions of both countries, which raises the alarm for possible underreporting of deaths and injuries. The organization also warned of the dramatic situation in Syria, which has already been severely damaged and weakened by the civil war that has been taking place in the country for years. The WHO also stated that the 7.8 magnitude earthquake could affect 23 million people in the two regions: “The maps show that 23 million people are exposed, including five million vulnerable people”, said WHO director Adelheid Marschang to the executive board of the agency United Nations Organization (UN).
The earthquake took about 3,000 buildings to the ground – videos shared on social media show the moment that some buildings collapse. Because the tremors happened at dawn, the death toll may be even higher than those announced, as at the time of the earthquake most people were sleeping in their homes. The intense winter that hits the region puts survivors at risk, as they are exposed to near-freezing temperatures. This Monday, for example, the thermometers varied between 3º C and 9º C, with rain. The forecast for Tuesday is that it varies between -3º C and 9º C. In Turkey, the second had a maximum of 4º C and a minimum of 1º C. But, on Tuesday, the minimum can reach -1º C, with a maximum of 4º C and snow showers.
World leaders, including the Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT), sympathized with what happened and sent a message of support. Various agencies and countries have also offered assistance to Turkey and Syria. O Jovem Pan website contacted Itamaraty for information about Brazilians living in the regions. So far, they say, there are no reports of deaths or injuries. “The Brazilian government is providing ways to offer humanitarian aid to populations affected by the earthquake. There is, so far, no news of dead or injured Brazilians,” they said in the statement.
*With information from AFP and Reuters
Source: Jovempan
I have been working as a journalist for over 10 years. In that time, I have covered the news from all corners of the world, and written about everything from politics to business.I’m now a full-time author, and my work can be found at Global happenings. My aim is to bring you up-to-date news and views on global affairs, in a format that is easy to read and understand.
