“The fact that the first earthquake happened so early in the morning, when many children were still asleep, makes the situation even more serious. Many homes have been destroyed, leaving families homeless and exposed to temperatures that regularly drop below freezing, snow and hail,” says Suzanne Laszlo, the director of the Dutch branch of the UN children’s rights organization. “Severe snow storms have already hit regions in Syria and Turkey recently and temperatures below zero are also predicted for the near future.”
According to the organization, there are fears for damaged or destroyed school buildings and hospitals, among other things. The risk of fatal diseases, such as cholera, among children is also increasing due to the humanitarian situation.
In Turkey, UNICEF is consulting with authorities to determine what humanitarian aid is needed. Teams of the organization are also active in Syria to help children and families affected by the quakes. “Our priority is to provide affected children and families with the support they desperately need right now,” says Laszlo.