Migration chief hails ‘proud and brave’ citizens of Antakya

The head of the UN migration agency IOM, stood in the middle of the ancient Turkish city of Antakya on Saturday, and called on the international community to “strengthen its efforts” to ensure aid reaches the millions impacted by last month’s deadly earthquakes.

“In the ruins of historic Antakya city today, I met proud and brave people whose past has been eradicated, whose present is full of suffering and whose future is uncertain,” said António Vitorino, following a two-day visit to Türkiye, which included meetings with senior Government officials.

“I am in awe of IOM colleagues and our many partners who began responding within hours of the earthquake, despite being affected themselves.

‘Now comes the long haul’

“But now comes the long haul; standing in solidarity and action with Türkiye as it rebuilds and creates a new future for the millions whose lives have been torn apart,” added Mr. Vitorino.

He said the sacrifices made by the numerous “humanitarian heroes” who dug so many out of the would never be forgotten, “and one of the reasons I am here is to pay tribute and condolences to them, and particularly to the families of the three IOM staff who perished.

“Our teams overcame complex coordination and logistical issues, as well as personal tragedies, to get aid rapidly to affected communities in Türkiye and northwest Syria.”

Three days after the disaster, IOM was one of the first UN agencies to restart cross border assistance, noted Mr Vitorino, visiting a logistics hub close to the border, which has been vital to the response as a transit point for thousands of tons of aid being brought into northwest Syria.