Haythan Rahmeh, Secretary-General of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), and a delegation recently conducted a field visit to the regions affected by the earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria. The delegation assessed the damage caused by the disaster, which resulted in 2,037 deaths, over 2,950 injuries, and the displacement of approximately 11,000 families.
Rahmeh praised the efforts of the civil defense corps for saving lives with limited resources and recognized the Syrian National Army (SNA) for supporting their efforts, as well as local councils for their efforts to contain the disaster. He expressed disappointment in the lack of international response and support, pointing out that the necessary global aid has not yet arrived.
According to Rahmeh, the local councils, SNA, and service organizations have identified the immediate needs as health and medical supplies, tents, fuel, and heavy equipment. However, aid from across the Turkish border has not yet reached the area and aid that reached regime-held areas did not reach northwestern Syria, which was the most affected by the earthquake.
Rahmeh also acknowledged the efforts of private and public hospitals, which provided a lot of help, and relief organizations that worked through the night to provide aid to those in need. He emphasized the importance of clearly identifying relief and aid vehicles as belonging to the Syrian Revolution to prevent the Assad regime from claiming credit for the aid efforts.
Rahmeh extended his condolences to the Syrian and Turkish people and stressed the urgent need for international aid to help with recovery efforts and address the psychological needs of those affected by the earthquake. He also noted that the disaster has brought the two peoples together.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
