UN calls earthquake in Turkey, Syria worst event in 100 years
(VOVWORLD) - UN aid chief Martin Griffiths on Saturday described the earthquake that hit southern Turkey and north-western Syria as the "worst event in 100 years in this region."
Speaking during a news briefing in the Turkish province of Kahramanmaras, Griffiths lauded Turkey's “extraordinary"” response to the disaster. He said he hopes aid to Syria would go to both government and opposition-held areas.
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived on Saturday at Aleppo airport to tour some hospitals and shelters with Syria’s health minister and the governor of Aleppo.
The flight of the WHO chief to Syria also carried 37 tons of emergency medical supplies. Tedros affirmed that the WHO would continue to provide emergency medical services and supplies to help victims of the earthquakes.
As of early Sunday morning, the earthquake death toll in Turkey and Syria had surpassed 28,000.