Brussels (AFP) - Aid organisations urged international donors at a funding conference in Brussels on Monday to step up their support for the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria last month.
The catastrophic 7.8-magnitude quake flattened entire cities, killing more than 50,000 people across southeastern Turkey and parts of war-torn Syria.
Millions were displaced and a preliminary estimate from the United Nations says the damage in Turkey alone could amount to more than $100 billion.
Last week's flash floods in the region only added to the misery, killing 14 people living in temporary shelters.
The United Nations Development Programme warned earlier this month about the poor level of response to a call made in mid-February for urgent funding.
One aid group, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), called on donors to at least ensure that the UN's emergency appeal for $1 billion for Turkey and $397 million for Syria are fully funded.
The UN says the appeal for Turkey has so far only been 16 percent fulfilled, while the figure for Syria stands at 72 percent.
"Over a month since the earthquake, the situation in affected regions remains desperate," said Tanya Evans, IRC country director for Syria.
"With many homes damaged or destroyed, many people are left with no choice but to sleep in overcrowded and under-resourced collective shelters," she said.
The European Union, which is hosting the conference in coordination with Turkey's government, has said it plans to make a "significant pledge" for further relief, recovery and reconstruction.
It has urged the rest of the international community to commit funds "in line with the scale and magnitude of the damage".
Germany has said it will double its support for the quake victims to 240 million euros ($255 million), and France promised an additional 12 million euros.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has admitted "shortcomings" in the government's initial response as he bids for re-election in May, will address the meeting via video link.
Turkey is a key partner for the EU even if ties are often strained, and the bloc already gives billions in aid to help its eastern neighbour house refugees from Syria's 12-year war.
- Assad, Russia excluded -
But the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, sanctioned by the West since the brutal crackdown that sparked the ongoing civil war, will not be involved.
While international rescue teams and aid flowed quickly to Turkey, humanitarian organisations faced major hurdles reaching stricken areas in northern Syria.
UN investigators say the area became the "epicentre of neglect" as the warring factions and hesitancy by the international community held up desperately needed aid.
"Syria deserves the world's solidarity and support," said Fabrizio Carboni, Middle East director for the International Committee of the Red Cross.
"Despite these staggering needs, which have deepened after the February earthquake, our work in Syria is heavily under-funded," he said.
Aid has belatedly begun reaching the stricken areas in northern Syria, and the EU and United States eased sanctions to try to speed up deliveries, while the Syrian government opened two new border crossings.
Assad has been receiving calls and humanitarian aid from Arab leaders in the aftermath of the quake, in a move analysts say could be the start of improved ties.
He arrived Sunday for his second visit since the quake to the United Arab Emirates, which has already pledged more than $100 million in assistance.
The donor conference in Brussels is open to countries from the Middle East and across the globe, but Assad's key backer Russia is excluded because of the war Moscow launched against Ukraine.
