Head of UN Humanitarian Affairs to Syria
Martin Griffiths is stationed in Turkey and plans to travel into Syria over the coming weekend to assess the needs of people affected by the catastrophic earthquakes. The disaster has already claimed more than 19,000 lives and left countless communities grappling with immense loss and disruption. This mission is being carried out under direct instruction from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, underscoring the urgency of a coordinated humanitarian response across the region. In the field, Griffiths will move through areas most severely hit by the quake, including Gaziantep in the southern Turkish corridor and Aleppo in the north of Syria, before proceeding to the capital, Damascus. The travel aims to gauge humanitarian needs on the ground and to map the steps the UN can take to bolster relief. The plan emphasizes expanding support for the humanitarian fund and the Syria cross-border fund, and, crucially, securing humanitarian access along roads that have suffered serious damage. The effort will hinge on coordinated cross-border operations, rapid needs assessments, and effective delivery of aid to the affected populations. The UN leadership has stressed that a prompt, well-resourced response is essential to saving lives and stabilizing the most vulnerable communities in both Turkey and Syria. [citation attribution: United Nations]