The President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Salem Al-Meslet, has called for the urgent repair of infrastructure damaged by the recent earthquake in northwestern Syria. Al-Meslet warned that delayed restoration could result in serious health consequences for survivors, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly.
Al-Meslet emphasized that the international community’s support should go beyond providing aid and include the development of a concrete post-earthquake plan for the affected areas. He also stressed that solidarity and cooperation among Syrians should continue even after the initial rescue and relief efforts.
The magnitude 7.8 and 7.5 earthquakes, which struck both Syria and Türkiye on February 6, caused extensive damage to infrastructure, leaving many families displaced and in need of basic necessities.
Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has warned of the potential for a dangerous outbreak of diseases if permanent housing is not provided soon for the hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the region. Chapagain explained that the earthquake’s impact on access to housing, water, fuel, and other infrastructure could lead to the spread of diseases and have devastating effects on the psychological health of Syrians.
The earthquake has prompted the international community to pledge support for the affected areas, but many, including Al-Meslet, believe that more aid is necessary to ensure the long-term recovery of the region.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
