Martin Griffiths is requesting authorization from the UN Security Council to open up additional corridors to improve the quantity of aid reaching affected communities, as he warns of the escalating threat to public health posed by illness.
Following the disastrous “mega” disaster, providing additional border crossings from Turkey into Syria is a “no-brainer” from a humanitarian standpoint, according to a UN aid chief.
Martin Griffiths emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that new routes are required immediately to increase the amount of aid reaching the earthquake-ravaged region and save lives.
United Nations Security Council
Russia, a key Syrian regime ally, has opposed UN Security Council authority to establish further crossing locations.
More than 3,500 people were killed by the earthquake in Syria, where a 12-year civil war had already claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and compelled millions to flee.
Even before Monday’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake that devastated the Turkey-Syria border region. The civil conflict had divided the country into opposing zones of power, making it difficult to provide help.
The Syrian government, which is subject to Western sanctions, has requested assistance from the United Nations, demanding that all assistance must be coordinated with Damascus and delivered from within Syria, not across the Turkish border into opposition territories.
Several observers have accused Damascus of funneling aid to loyalist regions.
Mr. Griffiths stated that he wished to expand the current rescue operation in Syria.
He said: “It is a massive operation. But it will now be conducted at a higher level and faster rate than before the earthquake.
“We are also requesting authorization from the security council to establish a handful of more crossing sites to maximize the number of goods that reach the people of the northwest.”
He added: “Frankly, it’s a no-brainer from a humanitarian standpoint why we need these additional crossing sites now to save lives and provide help to the individuals in the post-rescue period.
“So I hope it will be approved. I believe we will find out within the next several days.”
Cholera alert
Concerns were also growing regarding a health emergency.
Mr. Griffiths said: “It is common for a natural disaster of this magnitude. And this is a major one – for water sources to become contaminated. You begin to contract ailments.
If drinkable water is not available, cholera will spread in northwest Syria.
Assuring the functionality of water supplies, electricity, etc., necessitates the provision of spare parts for pumps.
“Sometimes sanctions impose certain limitations. We must ensure that this does not occur.”
He added: “There should be no politicization or political selection of aid recipients. It should be based on necessity.”
Additionally, he voiced alarm over the deteriorating security situation in Turkey, which has prompted several relief organizations to cease activities.
Those attempting to survive amid frigid weather with diminishing food and medicine supplies are becoming increasingly frustrated.
Extremely worrisome
Mr. Griffiths described it as “very worrisome” and stated: “This tension was evident, which is hardly surprising, is it? Given the immense stress of hoping, waiting, and yearning to locate people still buried beneath the wreckage.”
Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell told that help was reaching Turkey, but added, “The international community is significantly more stretched in Syria.”
‘Very grave jeopardy’
He added: “We were able to pass through the one UN-accessible bridge, but that crossing was also severely damaged by the earthquake, and the UN cannot utilize the other three crossings from Turkey into Syria due to the Russian veto.
Syria is where the actual troubles reside.
Mr. Mitchell said that a lack of infrastructure and organized support placed individuals in “extreme danger.”
