Millions of Syrians without shelter, in urgent need for help

Mohamad Ali
Press TV, Damascus

On Monday, Syria’s Minister of Housing Suheil Abdullatif held a press conference in Damascus to brief Syrians on the steps taken by the government to assist those who lost their homes following the earthquake that shook Aleppo, Lattakia and Idlib.

The minister said over 250 temporary shelter centers have been established for the needy, while 165 committees have been formed to check on the safety of buildings in affected areas.

Abdullatif also lashed out at Western countries, which claim to be defenders of human rights, for failing to assist people and easing their economic embargoes at a time that quake-hit Syrians are suffering from homelessness amid bitter winter weather.

The UN says over nine million Syrians have been affected by the earthquake, with more than 7,400 buildings completely or partially destroyed.

After 12 years of war, economic siege, and now a devastating earthquake, reconstructing an entire country is a highly expensive mission that requires collective efforts from the international community. It's clearly something no government can accomplish alone, signaling an urgent need for help.

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