The World Health Organization (WHO) today described the earthquake that devastated southeastern Turkey and northern Syria as the “worst natural disaster in a century” to hit the country on its European periphery, with the death toll now exceeding 35,000.

“We are witnessing the worst natural disaster in the WHO European Region in a century, and we are still measuring its scale,” said Hans Kluge, Director of the WHO European Office.

“His true price is still unknown, and rehabilitation and healing will require time and great effort,” he stressed during a press conference, which he gave via the Internet.

Over 35,000 dead

The death toll hit 35,662 this afternoon (31,974 in Turkey and 3,688 in Syria, according to local sources) and is “likely to rise” according to a UN official.

He recalled that about 26 million people “need humanitarian assistance” in Turkey and Syria.

The deployment of emergency medical care, using three aircraft and medical equipment for 400,000 people, is the largest undertaking undertaken by the WHO office responsible for Europe in its 75 years of existence.

The European branch of the organization includes 53 countries, including Turkey. Syria is part of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean zone.

Source: APE-MPE, AFP.