A member of a Manchester humanitarian charity and her child have been killed in Syria by this morning’s earthquake.
The woman, who has not been named, was a doctor working in a mobile health clinic in Idlib for Action for Humanity, the parent charity of Salford-based Syria Relief.
More than 1,300 people have been killed and thousands injured in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey, Syria, and Kurdistan regions this morning. The death toll is expected to increase after another large earthquake hit Turkey 12 hours later.
Othman Moqbel, Action For Humanity’s chief executive, said: “We are sad to confirm a member of the Action For Humanity team has lost her life, as has her child.
“She was a doctor who was motivated with saving the lives of people impacted by the crisis in Syria.
“Sadly, she has lost her life. If she hadn’t she would be there now trying to help as many people as possible, just like the rest of her colleagues.”
Action For Humanity, which has over 11 years experience in responding to humanitarian emergencies in Syria and neighbouring countries, has deployed an emergency response and has launched an appeal for assistance.
The charity is urgently raising funds for tents, food parcels, medical facility support and fuel as there is currently no electricity in Idlib.
Mr Moqbel said: “With the death toll in the hundreds and rising, and countless injured – we are launching a full scale emergency campaign to help support those displaced and injured, as well as the health systems and infrastructure everyone needs.
“With so many people displaced and the winter weather deteriorating, we are in a race against time to help people.
“We call on the public and government to do all they can to support to thousands impacted – there has been over 100km of damage.
“Virtually every village in war-torn and poverty-stricken Syria has been impacted.
“This is an emergency of an unimaginable scale.”
Those looking to donate can visit https://actionforhumanity.org
Image credits: Action For Humanity
