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The Red Cross on Thursday has more than tripled its emergency funding appeal to over $700 million for aid to victims of the catastrophic earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria last week.
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it now estimated it would need 650 million Swiss francs ($702 million) to help respond to the soaring humanitarian needs in both countries.
Just over a week ago, the organisation had estimated its funding needs at 200 million francs.
The 7.8-magnitude tremor early on February 6 killed nearly 42,000 people in southeast Turkey and parts of Syria, with the death toll expected to increase in both countries.
"The full impact of this earthquake is still unfolding," IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain, who is currently visiting quake-hit communities in the two countries, said in a statement.
Amid increasing death tolls, many survivors continue to deal with severe injuries, homelessness and freezing temperatures following the devastations of their homes, neighbourhoods and cities.
Rescue missions however, are decreasing, as they are shifting to getting relief to survivors more than a week after the devastating earthquake struck.
One mother and two children were pulled from the rubble after more than nine under debris on Wednesday, when she asked rescuers "what day it was" after she was pulled out, according to the Turkish Anadolu agency.
Another woman, aged 77, was also rescued following nearly 212 hours under rubble, in another miracle rescue mission.
Majed Juma and his wife had six in the northwestern city of Harem, in Syria. Three of the couple's children died when last week's devastating earthquake hit Turkey and neighbouring Syria which has claimed thousands of lives.
Here's Majed's story, as he recovers from hospital.
UN launches bid for $1 billion appeal for Turkey earthquake
The United Nations launched an appeal for $1 billion on Thursday to help victims in Turkey of last week's catastrophic earthquake that killed almost 42,000 people and left millions more in desperate need of aid and shelter.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that the funds would provide humanitarian relief for a period of three months, for more than 5 million people.
The money would "allow aid organizations to rapidly scale up vital support," including in the areas of food security, protection, education, water and shelter, he added.
"The needs are enormous, people are suffering and there's no time to lose," Guterres implored.
"I urge the international community to step up and fully fund this critical effort in response to one of the biggest natural disasters of our times," he said.
Currently, thousands of people in Turkey, as well as Syria are in need of medica and food aid, shelter, among other necessities amid bitter winter temperatures.
Death toll in Syria expected to rise following earthquake
The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Syria said on Thursday that the country's death toll from last week's deadly earthquake is likely to rise further as teams scramble to remove rubble in hard-hit areas, The Associated Press said.
The UN has reported a death toll of about 6,000 for all of Syria, including 4,400 in the rebel-held northwest. That figure is higher than those reported by government authorities in Damascus and civil defense officials in the northwest, who have reported 1,414 and 2,274 deaths respectively.
Syrians abroad send millions in aid to Syria following earthquake devastation
Syrians residing abroad have mobilised by sending money and aid in order to fill the gaps created in the country by the isolation of the Syrian regime, and the lack of aid arriving in affected areas.
Millions of dollars have been collected in several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, as well as Germany - which hosts a large Syrian refugee population.
Read more here:
US rock bands make proceedings for Turkey, Syria quake
US rock band Pearl Jam said they will reissue and put a signed poster for their 1996 concert in Istanbul up for a raffle in a bid to raise money for victims of the Turkey and Syria earthquake, which has killed close to 42,000 people.
The Seattle-based rockers said on their website: "On February 6th, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake and a 7.8 aftershock created catastrophic damage across Southern Turkey and Syria".
They continued: "In an effort to raise support for organisations working in the region, we are offering fans a chance to win a 2018 XL reissue of Pearl Jam's 1992 tour poster from Istanbul, signed by all five current members of Pearl Jam".
On February 6th, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake and 7.8 aftershock created catastrophic damage across Southern Turkey and Syria. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Q39zrxKujN
— Pearl Jam 🇺🇦 (@PearlJam) February 15, 2023
Meanwhile, heavy metal band Metallica said it would be donate $250,000 towards relief efforts for survivors of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, via their non-profit foundation All Within My Hands, American music magazine Rolling Stone said on Wednesday.
"We’re at a loss for words to describe the devastation in southern Turkey and northern Syria," the band said in a statement.
"Two of @AWMHFoundation’s partner organizations, @DirectRelief & @WCKitchen, have boots on the ground providing medical aid & food to the victims of this disaster. #AWMH is providing $125k to each organization to support their efforts," they added.
Teen girl rescued in Turkey following 248 hours under rubble
A young Turkish 17-year-old girl was rescued on Thursday in the city of Kahramanmaras after being under debris for 248 hours, nine days after the devastating earthquake that hit both Turkey and Syria, according to broadcaster TRT Haber.
The young girl's rescue follows a series of survivors being successfully pulled out from under rubble after being trapped for more than 200 hours.
Pakistan PM to visit Turkey following earthquake
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will reportedly visit Turkey on Thursday following the devastating earthquake which has killed almost 42,000 people, in what has been described as "a solidarity two-day visit" on support for the earthquake's victims.
According to local media, Sharif will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and will personally interact with survivors, as well as the Pakistani rescue team deployed to the devastated areas.
In a special gesture of solidarity and support with the people of #tuerkiye in the wake of the massive #EarthquakeTurkey #Pakistan PM #ShehbazSharif will undertake a visit to #Turkey today 16 Feb 2023@PakinTurkiye @mahroo_arshad pic.twitter.com/BUj08DP1vR
— Muhammad Ishtiaq (@Mishtiaq) February 16, 2023
Turkey-Syria earthquake revives debate over building of nuclear power plant
The devastating earthquake that has hit Turkey and neighbouring Syria over a week ago has sparked an ongoing debate locally and in Cyprus about a large nuclear power station being built on Turkey’s southern Mediterranean coastline.
The plant’s site in Akkuyu, located some 210 miles (338 kilometers) and 245 miles (394 kilometers) to the west of the February 6 tremors’ epicenters, is being designed to endure powerful tremors and did not sustain any damage from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake and its aftershocks.
But the size of the earthquake - the deadliest in Turkey’s modern history - has increased existing concerns about the facility being built on the edge of a major fault line.
An official with the Turkish energy ministry, said there were no plans to reassess the project, given the unlikely measure that a 9 magnitude earthquake would hit the city of Akkuyu.
Activists, however, still say that the plant poses a threat.
Blinken expected in Turkey on Sunday
The US Secretary of State is due in Ankara on Sunday as part of a bigger trip that will include Germany and Greece, as part of the the Munich Security Conference.
During his visit to Ankara, the US State Department spokesman Ned Price said Blinken will discuss aid and support for the earthquake-hit country.
NEW: Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Turkey on Feb. 19-20 as part of a bigger trip that covers Germany (Munich Security Conference) and Greece. He will visit Incirlik Air Base to see the US efforts to assist Turkey in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. pic.twitter.com/nyK5j97UyN
— Hümeyra Pamuk (@humeyra_pamuk) February 15, 2023
UN launches bid for $1 billion appeal for Turkey earthquake
The United Nations launched an appeal for $1 billion on Thursday to help victims in Turkey of last week's catastrophic earthquake that killed almost 42,000 people and left millions more in desperate need of aid and shelter.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that the funds would provide humanitarian relief for a period of three months, for more than 5 million people.
The money would "allow aid organizations to rapidly scale up vital support," including in the areas of food security, protection, education, water and shelter, he added.
"The needs are enormous, people are suffering and there's no time to lose," Guterres implored.
"I urge the international community to step up and fully fund this critical effort in response to one of the biggest natural disasters of our times," he said.
Currently, thousands of people in Turkey, as well as Syria are in need of medica and food aid, shelter, among other necessities amid bitter winter temperatures.
