A humanitarian aid organization warned on Friday of the urgent need of a sustainable response to the health and psychosocial needs to prevent a “second disaster”.
This came nearly one month since two devastating earthquakes struck Syria and Turkey that claimed the lives of about 50.000 people in both countries and destroyed the infrastructure in several cities.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warns of the urgent need of a sustainable short- and long-term response to the health and mental health and psychosocial needs to prevent a “second disaster”.
The IFRC said the demand for mental health and psychosocial support and health care is immense, adding, “It can put the most affected at even higher risk of developing medium- and long-term mental health challenges that can hinder recovery and resilience.”
“Entire communities are suffering after losing everything from their loved ones to homes, jobs and many sentimental belongings they own,” it noted.
The IFRC indicated that the earthquake in Syria came after nearly 13 years of conflict that has already displaced millions and traumatized many communities.
“Many of the damages caused by the earthquake are not visible. People have suffered more than a decade of conflict which has already affected their mental health and wellbeing.”
This earthquake, the organization said, added another layer to the Syrian conflict. “We also have seen that psychological wounds won’t always appear right away. That is why we need to provide continuous support, not only right now but for years to come,” said Gwendolen Eamer, IFRC Health Coordinator in Syria.
