The Philippine foreign affairs department said that 60 Filipinos based in Syria were affected by the strong earthquake that hit it, along with Turkey.
Of the number, 27 are in Aleppo, 19 in Latakia, 11 in Tartous and 3 in Hama.
The United Nations is urging more countries to send aid to Turkey and Syria as many have already sent relief aid and personnel to help in the search and rescue as death toll climbed to at least 7,000.
Meanwhile, Fabrizio Carboni, near and Middle East regional director for the International Committee of the Red Cross, said: “We wish to express our deep sympathy and solidarity with all those who were affected by the deadly earthquake that struck southern Turkey overnight Sunday to Monday. In Syria, the earthquake adds a layer to the humanitarian tragedy that has been ongoing for 12 years.
No words can describe the sight of families – most of whom were displaced more than once – who had to leave their homes in the freezing cold to take refuge in unsafe streets in the middle of the night. Buildings, weakened by long years of war collapsing like pieces of dominoes in Aleppo, send shivers down the spine.
I also salute the volunteers of Turkish Red Crescent Society and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent who are the first responders but also victims themselves. Their selfless dedication to humanitarian action is formidable.
The humanitarian situation across Syria is dire. These facts cannot be ignored; turning a blind eye to humanitarian suffering in Syria is cruel and inhumane.
ICRC is working to support the emergency relief efforts of our partner, the SARC. On Monday, we dispatched surgical material – enough to treat 100 people to one of the public hospitals in Aleppo. More of that and medical equipment is on its way to Aleppo, Latakia and Tartous. Canned food, blankets and mattresses and other essential items will also be donated for distribution in the many shelters being set-up in affected areas.”
