72hrs after devastating earthquakes hit #Turkey & #Syria
After working through the third freezing night, more than 16,000 people are now known to have lost their lives.
In reality, this number is likely to be much much higher. Tragically, the critical 72 hour window for finding people alive has passed. But there are still moments of hope, and the meticulous search continues.
In some regions in rural Turkey and Syria there is still no proper equipment for searching, and people are having to use their bare hands.
The nights are still bringing freezing temperatures, which last night reached as low as minus 6. People are still sleeping in cars or on the streets, including children and babies.
Many search and rescue teams are now moving into the recovery of the bodies, and urgent supplies are needed for those who are injured and people who have been left homeless, including medical supplies, heat, blankets, food, water, fuel and shelter.
As the situation continues, what will be most important will be making sure that people are kept warm, fed, hydrated and have access to medical care and shelter.
The WHO has warned of a secondary health crisis in the aftermath of the earthquakes which could be worse than the quake itself, if these supplies aren’t properly sourced and distributed to all regions affected.
