Hundreds of thousands of people have been left homeless in Syria in the dead of winter after Monday’s deadly earthquake. In northwestern Syria, where temperatures are below freezing, many are staying in makeshift shelters, mosques and ruins of destroyed buildings.
Musa ZidaneVolunteers with the “White Helmets”, formally known as the Syrian Civil Defense, told CNN on Thursday that “tens of thousands of families are now homeless across northwestern Syria” in the aftermath of the earthquake. .
“Hundreds of families in Idlib are sleeping in their cars, public parks and streets after their homes were destroyed,” Zidane said. “Even those who still have homes are afraid to spend the night indoors, so they return home temporarily during the day and leave at night out of fear. [of further earthquakes].”
Zidane said cold weather Catastrophes are mounting as rescue teams struggle to rescue people from under the rubble.
“We need help searching for survivors and pulling the dead from under collapsed buildings. We urgently need to help homeless families by providing shelter, food, clothing and basic necessities,” said Zidane. said.
People need to get their homes back and the dead need to be “pulled out and buried”, Zidane added.
When asked about excavators, Zidane said they were initially unavailable but limited numbers are working to clear the debris. “Not enough to cover the entire area. We need more.” ‘ he said.
Zidane said access to aid that does not cover the needs of people in northwestern Syria is limited, much of it in the face of a humanitarian crisis stemming from Syria’s more than a decade-long civil war. ruled by power.
“We feel like the world has abandoned us again,” said Zidane. said. in a tweeted video.