As Earthquakes Hit Turkey and Syria, WHO Extends Refugee Health Plan

Health Policy Watch
Feb 06, 2023

As Earthquakes Hit Turkey and Syria, WHO Extends Refugee Health Plan


As a second earthquake hit Turkey and Syria on Monday morning, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) member states offered their solidarity during an Executive Board (EB) session that presciently focused on refugees and migrants.

The two earthquakes struck within 12 hours, and by Monday evening over 2,600 deaths had been reported, while thousands of people had been displaced as their homes were destroyed.

Syria’s representative appealed to the EB for support from member states, saying that many people were still under ruins.

“The emergency services are working flat out at all levels. They’re doing their utmost, but it’s a terrible disaster,” she said. “We’re facing a lot of problems today, and that’s also because of the blockade on our country. We call on the conscience of the world to wake up and support us. We hope that WHO and all of its member states will help us as we seek to grapple with this disaster.”