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Syrians in desperate need of humanitarian aid as quake death toll rises

Wednesday, 08 February 2023 11:54 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 09 February 2023 2:16 AM ]

Mohamad Ali
Press TV, Damascus

In Syria, destruction has become a familiar scene for the people. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake which hit Turkey and northern Syria continues to claim more lives as many remain stuck under the rubble in the cities of Aleppo and Lattakia.

Thousands of people lost their lives or became homeless due to the collapse of residential buildings. Russia, Iran and the UAE were among the first countries to send urgent humanitarian assistance.

Makhlouf was speaking in a press conference in Damascus. He thanked countries that offered help. He also lashed out at the US and Western countries for not lifting economic sanctions during such a harsh humanitarian crisis.

The war on Syria has severely damaged the country’s critical infrastructure, including fifty thousand public vehicles that could have been used in rescue operations. Sanctions have left Syria unable to replace those vehicles or import basic food and medical needs. Shortages in fuel due to US occupation of oil fields, as well as lack of electricity create unprecedented challenges for the Syrian government.

It is yet another disaster that has exacerbated the suffering of Syrian people. This time it’s not related to war, but has left thousands of people devastated. Syrians are calling on the US and its western allies to end politicizing humanitarian issues.

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