<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">The United Nations launched a $1 billion appeal Thursday to help 5.2 million survivors of the most devastating earthquake in Türkiye’s modern history, two days after starting a $397 million appeal to help nearly 5 million Syrians across the border.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The funding, which covers three months, will allow aid organisations to swiftly ramp up their operations to support government-led response efforts in areas that include food security, protection, education, water and shelter.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both appeals will be followed by fresh appeals for longer-term help.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Türkiye is home to the largest number of refugees in the world and has shown enormous generosity to its Syrian neighbours for years,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Now is the time for the world to support the people of Türkiye – just as they have stood in solidarity with others seeking assistance.”&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">UN Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said: “The people of Türkiye have experienced unspeakable heartache. I met families who shared their stories of shock and devastation. We must stand with them in their darkest hour and ensure they receive the support they need.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The UN and partners have been rushing to support Türkiye and neighbouring Syria in the wake of the devastating earthquakes that struck on February 6.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">More than nine million people in Türkiye alone have been directly impacted by the once-in-a-generation disaster, which has left 35,000 people dead in the country, according to the latest figures from the government.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The earthquakes struck at the peak of winter, leaving hundreds of thousands of people – including small children and elderly people – without access to shelter, food, water, heaters and medical care in freezing temperatures.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some 47,000 buildings have been destroyed or damaged, including schools, hospitals and other essential services.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thousands of people have sought refuge in temporary shelters across the country. Many families have been separated, and hundreds of children are now orphaned or unable to be reunited with their parents.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Around 3.6 million Syrians have found a safe haven in Türkiye, along with nearly 320,000 people of other nationalities, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">More than 1.74 million refugees live in the 11 provinces impacted by the earthquakes.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The UN is coordinating the operations of thousands of search-and-rescue personnel in five provinces – Adiyaman, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş and Malatya – and humanitarian organisations have begun relief operations in the hardest-hit areas, in support of the government-led response.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This week also saw the launch of a nearly $400 million appeal for Syria, where aid delivery from across the border with Türkiye is continuing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said shelter needs are the top priority among displaced people there, where many homes have collapsed in the aftermath of the earthquakes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">More than 8,900 buildings are completely or partially destroyed, leaving 11,000 people homeless. Other priorities include food, cash assistance and supplies to cope with the harsh winter weather. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>