"EARTHQUAKES"

In the wake of the devastating earthquakes that hit Türkiye on 6 February 2023, farmers and rural communities in the country urgently need assistance: labor losses and fertilizer shortages have halted agricultural and livestock activities, posing a significant threat to the upcoming summer harvest. FAO

In Türkiye and Syria, the United Nations and partners continue to support the humanitarian response to last month’s earthquakes, a UN Spokesperson said. UNIFEED

The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, told the Security Council that the “status quo is unacceptable” and “the renewed diplomatic attention on Syria, including in the region, and the shared suffering of all Syrians in the aftermath of the earthquakes, create new obligations and opportunities.” UNIFEED

On 7 March 2023, WHO and UNICEF, in coordination with health authorities, the Syria Immunization Group, and the Global Alliance for Vaccines, launched a cholera vaccination campaign in earthquake-hit areas of north-west Syria. The campaign will run for 10 days and targets 1.7 million people. OCHA

UN officials and partners addressed reporters today after having concluded a two-day visit to Haiti to raise awareness of the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the country and assess how humanitarian agencies can expand their operations. UNIFEED

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Florence Bauer, said the needs in earthquake affected areas in Türkiye are, “tremendous,” and noted that “it's women and girls that are always the most affected.” UNIFEED

Half of Syria’s population faces hunger as conflict passes 12-year milestone and earthquakes deepen economic woes, said the World Food Programme. WFP

At the launch of their latest report on Monday, few days before the 12th anniversary of the Syrian crisis, the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic called for an independent investigation for the failure that they witnessed by the Syrian Government, the international community, including the United Nations, to rapidly direct urgent life-saving aid to northwest Syria after the massive earthquakes struck on February 6th. UNTV CH

Visiting earthquake-ravaged areas of Türkiye and Syria, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi urges more support for survivors trying to rebuild. UNHCR

The Syrian conflict will only be resolved if all parties involved in it are prepared to make the kind of compromises on humanitarian grounds that followed last month’s earthquake disaster, UN negotiator Geir Pedersen said on Wednesday. UNTV CH