The Republic of Turkey has stopped its search and rescue
operations in most provinces except for two, according to the country’s
disaster management authority.
According to the state news agency Anadolu, rescue efforts
are still underway in 40 buildings in Kahramanmaraş and Hatay provinces, nearly
two weeks after a destructive earthquake killed tens of thousands of people in
Turkey.
Recently, a couple and their 12-year-old child were rescued
in the Hatay province of the country. However, the child died later on.
The earthquake survivors have continued to be found alive
under the rubble of collapsed buildings. The Hatay province is one of the worst
affected areas in Turkey. According to the province’s mayor Lutfu Savas, at
least 80% of the buildings will need to be rebuilt in Hatay.
The death toll in Turkey stands at 40,689 people. The
collective death toll across Turkey and Syria has risen to at least 46,530.
According to the United Nations, at least 870,000 people
urgently need food across Turkey and Syria. According to the Turkish Emergency
Coordination Center SAKOM, the death toll could further increase in the
country.
Many international organisations and countries have
continued to send aid to Turkey and Syria after the destructive earthquake
wreaked havoc in the region. The United Nations also pledged to help these two
countries.
Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian
Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations, expressed
concern over rescue efforts in Turkey and Syria. Turkish people also expressed
anger over the poor quality of buildings in the country.
Last week, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director General
of the World Health Organization (WHO), visited Syria to check up on earthquake
survivors. Last week, the Turkish police also arrested 12 people, including
building contractors, over collapsed buildings in the southeastern provinces of
Gaziantep and Sanliurfa.