Aleppo (Syria): The visit by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to the earthquake-stricken city of Aleppo in northern Syria gave rise to hope that more emergency relief would soon reach Syria.
On Saturday, the WHO sent 35 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to Aleppo as Ghebreyesus arrived in the city and paid visits to some hospitalised patients, shelters for displaced persons, and damaged regions.
His visit comes in the wake of the deadly earthquake that rocked Syria on Monday, killing 5,000 people in government and rebel-held areas, Xinhua news agency reported.
Speaking to reporters during his tour, the WHO Director-General said that easing the US sanctions on Syria within the next 180 days would give a window to bring more emergency supplies and support.
According to a UNHCR estimation, 5.3 million people in Syria might have been left homeless by the earthquake.
With inputs from IANS