High Commissioner's remarks at the International Donors' Conference 'Together for the people in Türkiye and Syria' in Brussels, Belgium

Thank you Mr Chair.

I have just come back from a five-day visit to the earthquake-affected people in areas in Syria and Türkiye. I have really never seen such levels of destruction.

As you have probably heard many times today, the entire city of Antakya/Hatay has been literally destroyed or severely damaged and I hope really at this conference that donors will show the same generosity as the Turkish people have shown for years towards millions of refugees. I would also like to recall an important point, that the authorities in Türkiye have made no distinction between Turkish citizens or Syrian refugees, and all have been supported equally. For our part, we, UNHCR, have similarly been providing humanitarian assistance to all earthquake survivors in need without distinction.

I also visited earthquake-affected people in Syria, including during a cross-border visit into the northwest. I was shocked by the level of desperation and deprivation by the Syrian people who are suffering the effects of the earthquake on top of 12 years of conflict, displacement, and dispossession.

We should do all that we can to provide humanitarian assistance and early recovery support to people in need, wherever they are in Syria, especially the displaced and returnees.

But it is clear that much more is required to respond to the earthquake and the immense human suffering in both countries and I appeal to the international community to be even more generous in responding to the needs.

UNHCR has issued an earthquake appeal for $201 million, of which we have received about $88 million –$53 million for Türkiye and $35 for Syria. The $88 million includes over $61m pledges still in the pipeline. This represents 44% of the needs of the people in the two countries that we assist. We pledge to do all we can to help these survivors, in addition to our pre-planned activities of course, and appeal for donors to contribute generously to the response.

Thank you.