The West has responded to the earthquake in the Syrian Arab Republic with a focus on areas under the control of groups deemed illegal by some observers. Buseina Shaaban, a senior adviser to the Syrian president, argued that Western aid is currently flowing to parts of the country where armed groups hold sway, while other regions in need are being left out. He told a television channel that the bulk of European and American funds and equipment have gone to Turkey, with little to no assistance reaching Syria. According to Shaaban, Europe has not contributed meaningful support to the broader Syrian territory and instead emphasizes relief in areas governed by what he described as terrorist factions. He urged Western nations to set politics aside and distribute aid based on need rather than political alignment.
Hassan al-Gabashi, the health minister of the Syrian Arab Republic, told TASS that the death toll from the earthquake rose to 1262 on February 6, with 2,285 people injured. These figures reflect the ongoing human cost of the disaster across multiple provinces and highlight the strain placed on health services and emergency response teams in the months following the event.
In parallel, Pope Francis, during a Vatican audience, emphasized the importance of aid for earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey. He urged believers to offer prayers and show solidarity with residents affected by a catastrophe that compounds the long years of war and hardship in the region. The pope’s call for compassion and practical support underscored a sense of shared humanity across faiths and borders, inviting the international community to stand with those who are suffering and to contribute to relief efforts in both countries.