The charity Médecins Sans Frontières said it had gained access to northwestern Syria affected by the earthquake. According to Reuters, on February 19, a convoy of 14 trucks arrived there to provide assistance to local residents.
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP), a humanitarian organization that provides hot meals and rations to the victims, has put pressure on the Syrian authorities to open access to the affected region of the country. WFP director David Beasley told Reuters the day before that charities are being blocked from accessing the northwestern regions of Syria, which are controlled by rebel groups fighting the central government.
“Time is running out and we are running out of money. Our earthquake relief work costs $50 million a month. So if Europe does not need a new wave of refugees, we must get the support we need,” Beasley warned.
According to the latest data, in Syria as a result of the earthquake that occurred on January 6, 5,800 people died. The total number of victims in Syria and Turkey exceeded 46 thousand people. The WHO estimates that 26 million people now need humanitarian assistance.