The United Nations appeal cinternational aid to raise $1 billion for Turkey, following the devastating February 6 earthquake that killed at least 42,000 people in that country and Syria, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced today.

“The funding — which covers a three-month period — it will help 5.2 million people and will allow aid organizations to step up their critical support to Turkey’s government-led efforts following the country’s most devastating earthquake in a century,” Guterres wrote in a statement.

He “urged the international community to do more and fully fund this vital effort to address one of the greatest natural disasters of our time.”

“Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees in the world and has shown enormous generosity to its neighbor Syria for years,” insisted G.G. of the UN, using the name “Türkiye” instead of “Turkey” which Ankara is asking to be used from 2022 and the United Nations and the US have accepted it.

“Now is the time for the world to support the people of Turkey, as they have done for others seeking help,” Guterres added, clarifying that “the needs are enormous, (that) people are suffering and (that) there is no time to waste.” ».