WHO declares level 3 emergency in response to earthquake’s effects in Turkey, Syria

GENEVA, Feb. 08 (YPA) – The World Health Organization declared a level three emergency due to the repercussions of the earthquake in Syria and Turkey.

This comes amid fears of an outbreak of epidemics because of it, especially in northern Syria, which was fighting cholera during the past few weeks, in addition to the heavy death toll from the disaster in the two countries, which exceeded 11,000 people.

WHO’s Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, announced the third level of emergency due to the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, which is classified as the highest case, and indicated the use of WHO assets in rescue operations.

“I appreciate the first responders, including WHO staff at our field office in Gaziantep, who responded when their lives were in danger,” Kluge said in a statement.

“I commend the Turkish authorities, who have launched a fantastic life-saving response,” Kluge added. “I thank Member States for their tremendous solidarity.

He called on the international community to continue to increase its support and to ensure full coordination with the government of Turkey and the WHO, noting that the organization’s teams are active in Gaziantep and Istanbul.

YPA