Speaking at a news conference from the Syrian capital Damascus, he said the amount would increase as the severity of the disaster became clearer.
The latest reports put the death toll at more than 33,000, according to international media, with millions more becoming homeless.
Step up activities
Tedros also reported that the Syrian authorities appear willing to allow more border crossings to move humanitarian aid into the northwest.
The war-torn country of Syria is divided into regions under the control of the government, opposition forces and armed groups.
WHO is working on all areas affected by the quake, which occurred on Monday.
The UN agency is also scaling up operations across the country, including in the northwest, where the impact is even worse.
More than 4,300 deaths and 7,600 injuries were reported there, according to the United Nations office for humanitarian affairs. OCHA .
Before the earthquake, 4.1 million people were dependent on humanitarian aid and need was at an all-time high.
Recent developments are welcome
Tedros emphasized the need to take feedback “to the next level” to reach all those in need.
He welcomed the US decision to ease sanctions on Syria in the wake of the tragedy.
“We also appreciate the recent approval of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations for cross-border convoys, as well as measures to increase cross-border access. We hope this will continue,” he said.
The head of WHO reported that he had met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier on Sunday afternoon, who said he was ready to consider additional cross-border access points for this emergency.
Ready to move
Tedros said he was waiting to move across the conflict boundaries to northwestern Syria.
“We’re really on standby,” he told journalists. “We can move at any time across the coast to the northwest. Based on the blanket license, we got permission from this party. Now we are waiting to hear from the other side. As soon as we have that, we’ll cross to the northwest.”
After the quake struck, WHO immediately accessed the supplies already arranged in the northwest and Aleppo, thus being able to treat major injuries. Staff also began distributing supplies to medical facilities.
WHO
WHO is sending medical supplies to Syria to strengthen the humanitarian response.
Satisfy the need
Tedros arrived in Syria on Saturday, where WHO and partners have so far distributed 110 tons of medical supplies to affected areas across the country.
A flight is expected to Damascus on Sunday evening with vital dedicated emergency medical supplies for frontline workers.
The UN agency is also helping to build the capacity of specialized frontline medical teams.
Crisis cascading
The earthquake is the latest crisis to hit Syria, following the ongoing conflict, COVID-19 pandemics, cholera outbreaks, and economic downturns.
Dr Michael Ryan, WHO Emergencies Director, said 12 years of war had “crushed” the health care system. Before the earthquake, only 50% of medical facilities were operating, but the real impact was much greater.
“Not only physical damage to infrastructure, but also the loss of medical staff, loss of wages, loss of training,” he said. “It’s just the death of a thousand cuts to the system.”
‘A tragedy unfolds’
The head of WHO expressed deep respect and admiration for survivors, first responders and healthcare workers, despite pointing out the enormous needs they face.
National and international organizations, as well as neighboring countries, mosques, churches and community groups, have raced to provide everything from food, clean water and medical care, to a safe space for everyone to sleep.
Tedros was in Aleppo on Saturday and visited a mobile medical clinic supported by WHO to distribute medicine to people suffering from ailments such as headaches, anxiety and trouble sleeping.
“WHO and other organizations have trained community workers to provide mental health support quickly, but more is needed,” he said.
While in the city, Tedros met a young girl named Nour, who lost her parents and broke her arm when their six-story apartment building collapsed, noting that she was “just an example of a tragedy.” happening that is affecting millions of people.”
UN News
UN emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths visits the Turkish side of Bab Al-Hawa, the only remaining border crossing authorized by the Security Council to deliver UN aid to the northwest Syria
Cross-border aid
The top UN humanitarian official continues his mission in the region, OCHA reported on Sunday.
Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths has arrived at Baba Al-Hawa on the Turkish side, the only remaining border crossing for authorized UN aid deliveries into northwestern Syria. Security Council.
Mr. Griffiths also visited a United Nations center in Hatay, where he witnessed the transit and supervised 10 trucks of aid supplies provided by the International Organization for Migration (International Organization for Migration).IOM) before leaving for Syria.
This is the fourth UN cross-border aid convoy since an earthquake hit northern Türkiye on Monday, affecting people on both sides of the border.
The first convoy of six trucks entered Syria on Thursday after a three-day temporary disruption due to damage to major roads.
A second convoy of 14 IOM trucks passed on Friday, followed by a third convoy the following day consisting of 22 trucks containing medicines, cholera testing kits, blankets, hygiene kits, and more. life, solar lights and other relief items.
OCHA said aftershocks are believed to be continuing in northwestern Syria, forcing people to continue to flee their homes.
Civil defense crews ended search and rescue operations on Saturday and have moved to clear debris and recover bodies, but efforts are being hampered by a lack of fuel and machinery. hooks and vehicles.
‘Politics aside’: UN special envoy
Meanwhile, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, arrived in Damascus on Sunday for a pre-planned visit.
He affirmed that humanitarian organizations would do all they could to reach all those in need and emphasized his efforts to rally support.
“Of course, we are reaching out to countries bilaterally, we are mobilizing funding and we are trying to tell people to put politics aside. This is the time to unite behind a common effort to support the Syrian people,” he said.
Mr. Pedersen also stressed the need for cross-border access. “I have close contact with the humanitarian family of the United Nations, we are working together to try to mobilize this support and of course that is my main message on this visit to Syria.”
