Earthquake -UN Calls for More Aid

The death toll from the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has exceeded 21,000. Vice President Fuat Oktay reported that 18,342 people have died in Turkey, and 3,377 have perished in Syria. The World Bank has pledged $1.78 billion in aid for relief and recovery efforts in Turkey.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging the global community to increase their support for earthquake relief and has announced a donor conference for next week. The first United Nations aid shipment has arrived in the opposition-controlled northwestern region of Syria from Turkey, as it is the only means for UN aid to reach civilians without passing through areas controlled by the Syrian government.