Aid Groups Warn of “Secondary Disaster” as Death Toll from Turkey and Syria Quakes Tops 22,000
The death toll from Monday’s massive earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has passed 22,000 as pressure mounts on the United Nations to provide urgent aid to northwestern Syria, which was already in dire need of humanitarian assistance due to 12 years of civil war and international sanctions. Aid groups have escalated demands on Turkey’s government to allow in more cross-border aid and are warning of a “secondary disaster” amid worsening conditions in rebel-held areas of northern Syria.
