Syria's Natural Disaster Highlights Lack of UN Aid for Survivors

(Photo : BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images)
The recent natural disaster in Syria has shown the inadequacy of UN aid to help survivors of the quake, as only a little has arrived.

The recent natural disaster in Syria has shown the inadequacy of UN aid for the survivors affected by the quake. Stricken northwestern Syria has gotten help, but more is needed to normalize after a 7.8 magnitude quake last Friday, noted Reuters.

Syrian Earthquake Survivors Receive Less Assistance

Based on sources, the UN Security Council permitted cross-border aid for affected Syrians in the northwestern region in 2014. Allegedly Syrian officials blocked humanitarian assistance in places controlled by them, commented the Cross Border Legal organization, reported Arab News.

Due to vetoes by Russia and China, only one of the four border crossings allowed is still working. Information from rescue teams and residents from the region mention the effects of the calamity surpassed the onslaught of war, according to The Guardian.

Caution was raised when a warning that the death toll would add up and assistance from the United Nations was urgently needed. One of the affected residents of Idlib, Fared Mahloul, said that 30 buildings collapsed with many trapped in the debris. He added they are all trapped and have no way to save themselves, and families are on their own.

Mahloul said they need many supplies and shelter as all homes are unlivable due to the calamity. He added that his uncle and family died, and another uncle survived, but his wife and three sisters were all dead. Syrians need other supplemental support for food, milk for kids, and medicine when people are in tents, schools, and public structures and asking for help from the UN.

Last Friday, about 14 UN trucks entered the part of the Syrian help opposition via the Bab al-Hawa crossing. Full of items needed by the survivors to weather the disaster, arriving after a six-lorry convoy went over the border loaded with essential supplies.

Raed Saleh, chief of the White Helmets organization, was the first to assist after the quake struck. He added the lack of special rescue equipment needs to be fixed. The lack of coordination with the UN makes it hard to respond effectively, showing a bias toward humanitarian work and no respect for human life.

UN Aid Should Not Be Susceptible to Politics

The death toll reached 3,500 people killed, and thousands were trapped under debris. Last Wednesday, European countries asked how to send crucial aid without UN approval. Most of the aid has been sent to Damascus due to international law, which the UN uses as its basis not to act decisively to help the affected people, calling it a failure of the world body.

A letter signed by 16 international jurists before what happened asked for access to northwestern Syria. It slammed the application of international law that risked lives, also politicized by players. Demands increased last Thursday by humanitarian lawyers for more aid. Ibrahim Olabi, a lawyer of Guernica 37 chambers, urged the UN legal adviser to agree soon or people will die. The Syrian American Medical Society said to amend the rules to deliver aid.

It said the UN Security Council hampers crucial aid that allows the delivery of assistance. Called one passage to send help under political influence needs improvement. This calamity shows it is detrimental. Improved aid will prevent deaths and save lives. One border to cross won't work.

Syria's natural disaster lacked UN aid, impacting survivors who cannot get essential assistance because the world body is seen as politicizing the appropriate reaction.