UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced on Tuesday the world body is launching a humanitarian appeal for 397 million U.S. dollars for the people of earthquake-hit Syria, Trend reports citing Xinhua.
"This will cover a period of three months," Guterres told reporters, adding that "we are in the final stages of a similar appeal for Türkiye."
The Syria effort brings together the entire UN system and humanitarian partners and will help secure desperately needed, life-saving relief for nearly 5 million Syrians, including shelter, healthcare, food and protection, Guterres said.
"The most effective way to stand with the people is by providing this emergency funding," he noted.
Strong earthquakes and aftershocks hit Türkiye and neighboring Syria on Feb. 6, with the death toll climbing to over 35,000 people as of Monday.
In the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes, the United Nations rapidly provided 50 million dollars through the Central Emergency Response Fund.
"But the needs are immense," Guterres said, pointing out that one week after the devastating earthquakes, millions of people across the region are struggling for survival, homeless and in freezing temperatures.
"We are doing all we can to change this. But much more is needed," he said.