The World Health Organization is making an urgent appeal for $84.5 million for earthquake relief in Turkey

The United Nations health agency launched an urgent appeal of $84.5 million on Friday, responding to the needs of Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquakes that struck the two neighboring countries on February 6.

“The urgent appeal identifies the health situation in both countries following this humanitarian catastrophe, the main threats to health, WHO’s response since the earthquake and priorities for addressing health impacts in both countries,” the WHO said in a statement. .

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that the world body is appealing for $1 billion in humanitarian aid to help earthquake survivors in Turkey.

Ten provinces were devastated after the magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes hit Turkey on February 6, killing more than 35,000 people and injuring more than 80,000 others.

The UN aid chief, Martin Griffiths, who visited Turkey last week, said people had “suffered indescribable heartache”, calling the disaster “the worst in 100 years in this region”.

“We must stand with them in their darkest times and ensure they receive the support they need,” he stressed.