UN appeals for $1 billion to help Türkiye earthquake survivors

UNB, Dhaka :

The United Nations launched a $1 billion appeal Thursday to help 5.2 million survivors of the most devastating earthquake in Türkiye’s modern history, two days after starting a $397 million appeal to help nearly 5 million Syrians across the border.

The funding, which covers three months, will allow aid organisations to swiftly ramp up their operations to support government-led response efforts in areas that include food security, protection, education, water and shelter.

Both appeals will be followed by fresh appeals for longer-term help.

Türkiye is home to the largest number of refugees in the world and has shown enormous generosity to its Syrian neighbours for years, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.