UN rushing personnel into devastated areas

UNITED NATIONS — In the wake of devastating earthquakes that struck southern Turkiye and northern Syria early on Monday, United Nations aid agencies have scrambled to help many thousands of reported victims.

"My heart goes out to the people of Turkiye and Syria in this hour of tragedy," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. "The United Nations is fully committed to supporting the response. Our teams are on the ground assessing the needs and providing assistance."

"As part of the United Nations family, the UN Development Programme stands ready to support affected people in the coming days, weeks and months as they recover from this tragedy," UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said in a statement.

The World Health Organization has authorized emergency medical teams to provide care to the injured and most vulnerable populations, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a tweet.

"This is one of the largest earthquakes in recent times. Turkiye and Syria need all the help they can get. The current search and rescue efforts will last a few days, but soon the main priority will be medical assistance for the injured, the restoration of water, power and other services, and shelter for those who have lost their homes," former UN relief chief Mark Lowcock told Xinhua News Agency through email.

In response to an official request for international assistance from Ankara, the UN Children's Fund, or UNICEF, confirmed it was willing to assist.

"Our hearts and thoughts are with the children and families in Turkiye and Syria affected by the devastating earthquakes," UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said.

Xinhua