The Syria Reconstruction Trust Fund has launched the Earthquake Emergency Response Plan (ERP) task force in northern Aleppo in immediate response to the devastating earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria last Monday. The Trust Fund has approved the first part of the Emergency Response Plan in the amount of €1.3 million to mobilize resources and provide immediate assistance to thousands of vulnerable Syrians who are now stranded in dire circumstances following the deadly earthquake that rocked the region. The Fund is planning additional ERP activities.
The approval came only a few days after the earthquake, which was followed by multiple aftershocks, left thousands dead and fragile buildings, homes and infrastructure destroyed across northern Aleppo.
Within 24 hours of the disaster, the Special Task Force, in cooperation with SPEG and the Syrian Interim Government, had already ordered free daily distributions of 18 tons of bread to the most affected communities in northern Aleppo. In addition, the Trust Fund has since mobilized flour mills and bakeries to continue operations and produce bread for the most affected communities.
Moreover, hospitals and primary health care centers funded by the Trust Fund have been mobilized to provide medical care and medicines to those in need. The available stock of medicines and medical consumables was distributed to a number of health facilities in northern Aleppo. In addition, the Covid Hospital building is now being used by the Women’s Hospital after the building was severely damaged by the earthquake.
The first phase of the ERP will include the procurement of tents, blankets, surgical kits for operations, emergency room kits, medical consumables and medicines with a budget of €1.3 million. The task force will continue to coordinate with its implementing entities who will be responsible for providing and distributing immediate assistance.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
