Mr. Griffiths was talking within the Turkish metropolis of Kahramanmaraş, the place restoration efforts are ongoing in frigid temperatures.

He met with households left homeless by the catastrophe and listened to their tales of shock and devastation. 

“I’m right here to ensure that these individuals additionally should not forgotten,” he mentioned.

Hope for survivors

The UN reduction chief additionally spoke with search and rescue groups as they carried out their operations within the devastated central components of the town, amid collapsed buildings with excavation gear digging by means of the particles.

UN groups are already on the bottom, and greater than 130 international locations have dispatched responders, sniffer canine, consultants and different personnel.

“There has by no means been a world response, a Turkish response, to a pure catastrophe, as we see right here in these horrible days,” mentioned Mr. Griffiths.

He praised the braveness of individuals, together with mother and father, who’re working around the clock in efforts to rescue their households and kids from the rubble – “hoping for another sound, for another individual to outlive.”

Humanitarian help

It’s estimated that greater than 20,000 individuals have died within the double earthquake, which struck southeastern Türkiye and northern Syria early on Monday morning. 

Hundreds of thousands extra have been left homeless, together with Syrians displaced by the 12-year struggle of their homeland and hundreds of refugees who’ve fled throughout the border.

For Mr. Griffiths, the following section will likely be to take care of these affected by the tragedy.

“And I’ve met a few of them already in the present day,” he mentioned, “individuals who’ve misplaced their properties, whose youngsters do not have colleges to go to, who don’t have any meals, who don’t have any cash, who depend upon the generosity of the Turkish individuals, the Turkish authorities and the worldwide group.”

Mr. Griffiths is anticipated to go to the UN-authorised cross-border operation to Syria within the south of Türkiye on Sunday earlier than travelling there.

The UN and companions may also launch appeals for the 2 international locations.

In a video on his Twitter, Mr. Griffiths mentioned “I hope what we are going to see is identical sort of beneficiant, speedy and pressing worldwide response to humanitarian wants that now we have seen to these organizations serving to the individuals of those cities to rescue the dwelling from the lifeless.” 

Heartbreaking situations

In the meantime, the pinnacle of the World Well being Group (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, arrived in Aleppo, Syria, on Saturday.

“I’m heartbroken to see the situations survivors are going through – freezing climate and very restricted entry to shelter, meals, water, warmth and medical care,” he wrote in a submit on his official Twitter account.

In a separate tweet, Tedros recounted how he met two infants, Nour and Omar, who misplaced their mother and father within the earthquake. 

“There are not any phrases to precise the ache they’re going by means of. Grateful to colleagues and companions who’re offering them with wanted care, consolation and love,” he wrote.