The World Food Program describes the situation in Turkey and Syria after the earthquakes as “apocalyptic”

26 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has described the situation in Turkey and Syria as “apocalyptic” due to the devastation caused by the earthquakes that shook their common border in early February.

“There is only one way to describe what I have seen today: apocalyptic. Entire neighborhoods leveled, houses destroyed, schools and shops closed, lives shattered. The scale of the devastation is truly incomprehensible,” said WFP Executive Director David Beasley. , after visiting the region, according to a United Nations statement.

The director of the UN program has assured that he is shocked by the “incomprehensible devastation” caused by the earthquakes, which have left 18 million homeless and has caused the death of at least 50,000 people in both countries.

Beasley has visited the city of Antioch, which has suffered significant loss of life and massive destruction. The city, according to the WFP, is now almost a ghost town, with houses, schools, shops and critical infrastructure damaged and destroyed.

“Although the world has quickly mobilized in support of the population, the impact of this earthquake will be felt for months and years,” Beasley said, according to the letter.

He has also visited the Boynuyogun camp to meet with displaced families whose houses have been reduced to rubble. This camp is one of seven camps where WFP has been helping Syrian refugees for years through an electronic voucher programme, and now the aid is being expanded to include Turkish families displaced by the earthquake.

On the Syrian side, Beasley has described the situation as a “catastrophe upon another catastrophe.” The earthquake occurs after 12 years of incessant conflict, and the most affected areas lack the capacity and infrastructure necessary to cope with the impact of a catastrophe of this magnitude, according to the WFP.

In the area, the organization’s director general has visited the UN transshipment center, where convoys are loaded with vital food and other emergency supplies before heading to the Bab al Hawa border crossing, en route to uncontrolled areas. by northwestern Syrian rebels.

Following the recent opening of two more border crossings, Bab al Hawa is one of three border crossings opened between Turkey and northwestern Syria, providing a lifeline to millions of people.

In this regard, Beasley joined a 21-truck convoy carrying 380 tons of wheat flour, bulgur and rice, along with other non-food emergency items.

“Our trucks are rolling, and these food and other supplies will literally save thousands and thousands of lives,” Beasley said, watching the convoy enter Syria. Since February 13, when the border crossing reopened, WFP has supported the crossing of 180 trucks into non-government controlled areas in northwestern Syria.

With the earthquake exacerbating needs and stocks rapidly depleting, “it is critical” that food and other vital supplies can enter northwestern Syria through all modalities, according to the UN.

“Food assistance must reach the people of northwestern Syria from all sides, through all routes, without restrictions. We welcome the opening of the two additional border points from Turkey. At the same time, we must resume and expand cross deliveries and call on all parties to facilitate access,” Beasley urged.