The two earthquakes that occurred in North Kurdistan on 6 February greatly affected Turkey and Syria. While the earthquakes caused great destruction in Syria, 3,694 people lost their lives.

Northern and Eastern Syria Heyva Sor a Kurd provided assistance to earthquake victims. But the policies of many sides in Syria and Iraq have left thousands of Syrians without humanitarian aid.

In a written statement, Heyva Sor a Kurd stated that it is ready to help earthquake victims. However, the Turkish state and the Damascus government did not allow humanitarian aid to reach people immediately after the earthquake.

Heyva Sor a Kurd faces many obstacles in the delivery of aid. KDP officials do not allow humanitarian aid to reach Northern and Eastern Syria through the Semalka Border Gate.

Heyva Sor a Kurd co-chair Êva Elî told ANHA: "Some aid has been allocated to Northern and Eastern Syria and is expected to be distributed throughout the month. However, KDP officials do not allow aid to pass through Semalka."

Elî added: "The Pêşxabûr gate administration does not allow aid to pass to Northern and Eastern Syria."

Preventing aid will have devastating consequences

Elî said that there are basic needs such as medicine, baby food, tents and sleeping equipment in the convoys carrying aid and added: "If Heyva Sor a Kurd can reach the earthquake victims, it will deliver 70 per cent of the aid to Şêxmeqsûd, Eşrefiye and Shehba and 40 per cent to Manbij and Kobanê."

Elî said: "Preventing the passage of aid will have devastating consequences and thousands of earthquake victims will be deprived of vital products."