SDF earthquake assistance proves vital amid aid delays in Syria

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) rushed to provide much-needed aid in the wake of a devastating earthquake that hit parts of Syria earlier this month, relying on a system that has proven its effectiveness in times of crises.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria on February 6, leaving millions homeless.

Officials have set the death toll from that quake at 41,156 in Turkey and 3,688 in Syria, but analysts say the number will rise as workers clear rubble and end rescue operations.

While the Syrian government proved to be one of the biggest obstacles to the provision of vital international assistance to Syria in the crucial first days after the disaster, the SDF filled the void in areas of northern Syria -- and beyond.

All SDF units are fighting on two fronts, SDF officer Farhad Khoja told Al-Mashareq.

"The first, which is the primary mission, is to hunt down and confront the remnants of the 'Islamic State of Iraq and Syria' (ISIS)," he said.

The second, more urgent mission is to help civilians cope with the aftermath of the earthquake in all areas where the SDF are present, he added.

SDF personnel are supporting relief and medical teams and securing supplies, such as heating fuel and food.

Khoja added that the provision of urgent aid was done in co-ordination with international coalition forces, with a large portion expected to arrive soon to be distributed to affected residents.

The Autonomous Administration, with SDF support, provided aid not only in the areas under its control "but also prepared a large amount of fuel to be sent to all affected Syrian regions, regardless of who controls them", Khoja said.

This gesture affirms that "humanitarian work in times of crises and disasters has no boundaries, thus refuting the statements made, especially by the Syrian regime, that aid is not reaching [Syria] because of sanctions", he added.

The first batch of aid consisted of dozens of trucks loaded with food and medical aid, in addition to 100 fuel tankers, he said.

Co-ordination with Kurdish Red Crescent

Kurdish Red Crescent nurse Haval Abbas told Al-Mashareq the disaster relief system that the SDF set up "has proven its effectiveness after the earthquake that struck the regions of northern and eastern Syria".

Within the first minutes of the disaster, there were intensive co-ordination efforts between the various sectors of the Autonomous Administration and the Kurdish Red Crescent to start rescue and relief operations, he said.

"Basic and urgent needs were secured, and preparations were made to ensure the aid distribution is conducted in an organised manner upon the arrival of any aid through the US-led international coalition forces," Abbas said.

"The Kurdish Red Crescent is currently focusing on the health situation in shelter centres, especially among the elderly, children and those with chronic diseases," he added.

The emphasis is on setting up mobile clinics in many areas, and shelter centres near fixed clinics in other areas, to speed up the process, he said.

Quick response to the earthquake was essential, especially in light of the bad weather across the region, which could cause a flu outbreak to spread quickly, he noted.

The priority of the relief work was to extricate civilians from dilapidated and cracked buildings, Mohammad Hasso, a worker with Kobani for Relief and Development, told Al-Mashareq.

This was done through co-ordination among the Civil Administration, the Kurdish Red Crescent, and all NGOs and volunteers in the area, he said.

"Perhaps the biggest challenge was accommodating residents of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighbourhoods in Aleppo whose homes were severely damaged," he said, adding that they were moved to existing camps that are designated for internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the Afrin region.

The Civil Administration formed specialised teams to inspect the damaged buildings and evacuate residents, said Hasso.