Lattakia Governorate, UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs hold talks on earthquake repercussions

The Governor of Lattakia, Eng. Amer Hilal, discussed with the Deputy Director of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Syria, George Petropoulos, and his accompanying delegation, a plan to respond to the repercussions of the earthquake that struck Syria, and the requirements for supporting those affected.

Governor Hilal reviewed the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake, both in terms of the affected families who lost the breadwinner, the buildings that are being evacuated from their residents, the damaged property and the efforts to reach all those affected in the shelter centers and outside them.

He pointed to the suffering as a result of the sanctions and the blockade, which caused a shortage of capabilities in the domains of search and rescue as well as medical services, stressing the concerted governmental and private efforts to enhance the response plan, cooperation and support that reached the province from Arab and friendly countries.

Hilal emphasized the need to provide shelters that are equipped with appropriate services for the families residing in them, and to evacuate some of the schools currently used as shelters, due to the lack of some of the required services, and to be ready for the return of their students to them and the resumption of the educational process. He expressed his desire to enhance cooperation and coordination with international organizations in various fields that contribute to facilitating and organizing the provision of relief and support and its access to those who deserve it. He appreciated the international and humanitarian efforts that pour into the field of supporting and alleviating the affected people.

For his part, Petropoulos pointed out the importance of the data provided by the governorate on the damage caused by the earthquake, and the difficulties it faces on the ground in the field of response and needs, which contributes to an appropriate assessment of it, expressing his thanks for all the efforts made by the government team and civil society, to provide assistance to those affected despite the difficult circumstances in Syria.

Petropoulos stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with the operating room in the governorate in the areas of assessment and exchange of information, especially with the transition to a new phase of response and care to reach all those affected, including those outside the shelters, in cooperation with partners.