Mr. Griffiths was talking within the Turkish metropolis of Kahramanmaraş, the place restoration efforts are ongoing in frigid temperatures.

He met with households left homeless by the catastrophe and listened to their tales of shock and devastation. 

“I’m right here to ensure that these folks additionally aren’t forgotten,” he stated.

Hope for survivors

The UN aid chief additionally spoke with search and rescue groups as they carried out their operations within the devastated central elements of town, amid collapsed buildings with excavation tools digging by the particles.

UN groups are already on the bottom, and greater than 130 international locations have dispatched responders, sniffer canines, consultants and different personnel.

“There has by no means been a global response, a Turkish response, to a pure catastrophe, as we see right here in these horrible days,” stated Mr. Griffiths.

He praised the braveness of individuals, together with dad and mom, who’re working around the clock in efforts to rescue their households and youngsters from the rubble – “hoping for yet one more sound, for yet one more individual to outlive.”

Humanitarian help

It’s estimated that greater than 20,000 folks have died within the double earthquake, which struck southeastern Türkiye and northern Syria early on Monday morning. 

Hundreds of thousands extra have been left homeless, together with Syrians displaced by the 12-year conflict of their homeland and 1000’s of refugees who’ve fled throughout the border.

For Mr. Griffiths, the subsequent section will probably be to take care of these affected by the tragedy.

“And I’ve met a few of them already in the present day,” he stated, “individuals who’ve misplaced their properties, whose kids haven’t got faculties to go to, who haven’t any meals, who haven’t any cash, who rely on the generosity of the Turkish folks, the Turkish authorities and the worldwide neighborhood.”

Mr. Griffiths is predicted to go to the UN-authorised cross-border operation to Syria within the south of Türkiye on Sunday earlier than travelling there.

The UN and companions may even launch appeals for the 2 international locations.

In a video on his Twitter, Mr. Griffiths stated “I hope what we’ll see is identical type of beneficiant, fast and pressing worldwide response to humanitarian wants that we’ve seen to these organizations serving to the folks of those cities to rescue the dwelling from the lifeless.” 

Heartbreaking situations

In the meantime, the pinnacle of the World Well being Group (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, arrived in Aleppo, Syria, on Saturday.

“I’m heartbroken to see the situations survivors are dealing with – freezing climate and very restricted entry to shelter, meals, water, warmth and medical care,” he wrote in a publish on his official Twitter account.

In a separate tweet, Tedros recounted how he met two infants, Nour and Omar, who misplaced their dad and mom within the earthquake. 

“There aren’t any phrases to specific the ache they’re going by. Grateful to colleagues and companions who’re offering them with wanted care, consolation and love,” he wrote.