As of the morning of 13th February nearly 35,000 people are now known to have lost their lives in the devastating twin earthquakes that hit primarily Kurdish regions of Turkey and Syria on 6 February.
The devastating earthquakes haven’t stopped Turkey from continuing its cross-border military attacks against Kurdish forces. A Turkish combat drone targeted a vehicle near Kobanê in North and East Syria.
Former World Bank Director for Turkey blames the high level of destruction from the earthquake on political choices, particularly construction amnesties.
Observers claim that the Damascus government is prioritising loyalist areas for the provision of humanitarian aid, but there are also problems with aid received through Turkey and in Turkish-controlled areas of northern Syria.
A week after the two major earthquakes hit Turkey’s southeast and Syria’s north, experts warn about the risk of epidemics. Vulnerable groups cannot obtain hygiene products, causing a potentially life threatening risk of infection, according to medical doctors.
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