Deadly Earthquake Hits Turkey, Syria
Turkey and Syria were struck with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, the deadliest the country has seen in almost a century. On Feb. 6. the earthquake, responsible for over 41,000 deaths and countless more injuries, devastated these countries in the midst of turmoil.
The situation has been labeled a “crisis within a crisis” due to the war that has been raging through Syria since 2011.
The lack of aid in Syria is only making the death tolls rise. Much because of the war, international aid has been slower to arrive at the scene of destruction. The borders of the country were closed off, leaving Syria with insufficient supplies.
“There are no organized relief efforts in here,” Sinan Polat, a 28-year-old car dealer in Hatay province, told CNN. “There are so many bodies in front of the hospitals, there’s not even enough shroud to cover them. Cemeteries are full. What are we going to do, throw the bodies of our families into the sea? It’s not what we expected and hoped. Under these conditions, we’re not hopeful about the future.”
The earthquake was an unexpected disaster, leaving the country unprepared for the mass destruction it caused. The people are looking for guidance without having anyone to turn to. The current Syrian government leader, Bashar al-Assad, is seen widely as a dictator and is who has been criticized by the international community for his authoritarian ideologies.
“Assad is trying to exploit the earthquakes to get out of international isolation,” director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House Lina Khatib told The Associated Press. “His regime’s call for the lifting of sanctions is an attempt at de facto normalization with the international community.”
Hope is fleeting in Syria and Turkey as the death count has continued to rise. Weeks later, survivors are still looking for their loved ones under the debris. Because of the immense difficulties posed by the crisis, there is now a government-issued investigation on why buildings in this region were so easy to collapse.
“Detention orders have been issued for 113 of [contractors],” Vice President of Turkey, Fuat Oktay said, to reporters of Reuters in a disaster management coordination center briefing in Ankara. “We will follow this up meticulously until the necessary judicial process is concluded, especially for buildings that suffered heavy damage and buildings that caused deaths and injuries.”
Fortunately for Syria, the tragedy has not been ignored internationally. Many governments around the world have stepped in to send aid to these struggling countries. The U.S. sent two search and rescue teams, including a team from Fairfax, Virginia.
“Our initial assistance response to Turkey is already underway, and U.S.-supported humanitarian organizations in Syria are responding to the earthquakes’ effects across the country,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a press statement. “We are determined to do all that we can to help those affected by these earthquakes in the days, weeks, and months ahead.”
Every act of aid towards Syria and Turkey is beneficial, whether big or small. Check out these links to see what you can do to make a difference.
Emma Goodfriend is a senior, returning to the "Bulldog Tribune" for her third year. Goodfriend is a part of Cards For Cause and is a tutor at the writing...