It has been four days since the catastrophic earthquake hit Turkey and Syria. More than 21,000 people have lost their lives, and an enormous number of people are still lying within the rubbles of their own homes.

Dozens of countries have pledged to help Turkey, and international rescue teams have already started working to save lives there. Relief from at least 7 countries has now reached Damascus.

North-West Syria, however, is STILL waiting.

The area, which is also home to at least 1.7 million internally displaced people, is especially vulnerable and has been under attack for over a decade by the Syrian regime. Humanitarian aid has been crucial to survival for the 4.4 million people in the area, but it has been allowed in through only one border crossing – Bab Alhawa – after Russia and China’s UNSC vetoes to close the others, claiming the Syrian regime’s willingness and ability to coordinate countrywide relief efforts. This is not the case. The Syrian regime, the prime perpetrator responsible for the deaths and destruction in Syria, is also known for denying and looting aid, and has benefitted millions of dollars from relief efforts.

Until now, North-West Syria has been left alone to face the catastrophic consequences of the earthquake. Thousands have lost their homes and have no shelter to protect them from the freezing temperatures. Local organisations – such as the White Helmets - have been working relentlessly to save lives, suffering from lack of equipment, resources, and international support. UN agencies should have mobilised aid immediately to help the civil defence and all those working on the ground. Instead, their inaction has already cost too many lives and the people of North-West Syria have been left behind one more time. 

We call on everyone to join us in demanding that the UN take immediate action to assist the people in need now, and wherever they are. Stand with us and all of the Syrian people to call out the inhumane by-standing of the world’s biggest organisation - founded for the sole purpose of protecting people during times like this.

How to take action today:

1 – DONATE to the incredible organisations working on the ground HERE - The White Helmets, Molham Team and SAMS USA. These local NGOs are operating in North-West Syria and donations are the most effective and impactful way to contribute to their work.

Please, see for yourself and follow their life-saving work on social media channels: @the_whitehelmets @molhamteam @sams_usa

2 - DEMAND the UN to act now, and do all that it takes so that earthquake specific aid reaches North-West Syria. The only convoy that has reached the area was a scheduled delivery, due to arrive before the earthquake even took place. Till now, no earthquake specific relief has been provided to the thousands of people affected in North-West Syria.

Click to Tweet UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres NOW. 

UN on Twitter: @UNEnvoySyria @UNOCHA @UNinSYria @UNHabitatSyria @UNReliefChief @UNHCRinSYRIA

If you work in media, please reach out to us here: hello@actionforsama.com.

And keep following us on social media @actionforsama to stay in touch on this critical and devastating situation. 

With thanks, always, 

Hamza, Waad and the Action For Sama team