Read the following passage and answer the questions given after it. Tens of thousands of people who lost their homes in a catastrophic earthquake huddled around campfires in the bitter cold and clamoured for food and water on Thursday, three days after the temblor hit Turkey and Syria and killed more than 19,300 on Monday, 6th February, 2023. Emergency crews used pick axes, shovels and jackhammers to dig through twisted metal and concrete - and occasionally still pulled out survivors. In the Turkish city of Antakya, dozens scrambled for aid in front of a truck distributing children's coats and other supplies. Many of those who lost their homes found shelter in tents, stadiums and other temporary accommodation, but others slept outdoors. In Antakya, over 100 bodies were awaiting identification in a makeshift morgue outside a hospital. Authorities called off search-and-rescue operations in the cities of Kilis and Sanliurfa, where destruction was not as severe as in other impacted regions. The U.N. is authorised to deliver aid through only one border crossing, and road damage has prevented that thus far. U.N. Officials pleaded for humanitarian concerns to take precedence over wartime politics. The scale of loss and suffering remained massive. Turkish authorities said on Thursday that the death toll had risen to more than 16,100 in the country, with more than 64,000 injured. In Syria, which includes government-held and rebel-held areas, more than 3,100 have been reported dead and more than 5,000 injured. Rescue teams urged quiet in the hope of hearing stifled pleas for help, and the Syrian paramedic group known as the White Helmets noted that every second could mean saving a life. But more and more often, the teams pulled out dead bodies. It was not clear how many people were still unaccounted for in both countries. Turkey's disaster-management agency said more than 110,000 rescue personnel were now taking part in the effort and more than 5,500 vehicles, including tractors, cranes, bulldozers and excavators had been shipped. The Foreign Ministry said 95 countries have offered help. More than half of that number have sent a total of nearly 6,500 rescuers. Another 2,400 more are still expected to arrive. International aid for Syria was far more sparse. Efforts there have been hampered by the civil war and the isolation of the rebel-held region along the border that is surrounded by Russia-backed government forces.
Why is the International aid much lesser in Syria than in Turkey?
Because Syria is a war–torn country and there are areas under rebels.
Understanding International Aid Disparities After an Earthquake
The question asks why international aid was significantly less in Syria compared to Turkey following the devastating earthquake in February 2023. To answer this, we need to carefully read the provided passage and identify the specific reasons mentioned regarding aid distribution in both countries.
Analyzing the Passage for Aid Information
The passage provides details about the earthquake's impact on both Turkey and Syria and discusses the aid efforts. Let's look at the relevant parts:
- The passage states that 95 countries offered help to Turkey, with thousands of rescuers already present and more expected.
- It then explicitly contrasts this by saying, "International aid for Syria was far more sparse."
- Crucially, the passage immediately explains the reasons for this disparity: "Efforts there have been hampered by the civil war and the isolation of the rebel-held region along the border that is surrounded by Russia-backed government forces."
- It also mentions the U.N. being authorized to deliver aid through only one border crossing, which was impacted by road damage, but this is presented as a specific logistical challenge, not the overarching reason for the general lack of aid compared to Turkey.
Evaluating the Options Based on the Passage
Let's examine each option in light of the passage's information:
-
Because Syria is a war–torn country and there are areas under rebels.
The passage explicitly mentions that aid efforts are "hampered by the civil war and the isolation of the rebel-held region". This aligns directly with the reason given in this option.
-
Because the destruction was not as severe in Syria as in Turkey.
While the casualty numbers provided for Thursday show higher figures for Turkey at that time (over 16,100 dead vs. over 3,100 dead), the passage attributes the sparse aid to political and logistical issues related to the conflict, not the relative severity of destruction.
-
Because the UN is allowed only one border crossing and Syria is not allowing that.
The passage mentions the single UN border crossing and road damage preventing aid "thus far", but it does not state that Syria is preventing the aid from crossing. It states the UN is *authorized* to use the crossing. This is a logistical difficulty, not the primary reason given for the overall sparse aid.
-
Because the roads have been damaged there
Road damage is mentioned as a hindrance for aid through the single UN border crossing, but the passage identifies the civil war and isolated rebel regions as the main obstacles to international aid in general.
Conclusion
Based on the direct information provided in the passage, the primary reasons cited for the sparse international aid in Syria compared to Turkey are related to the ongoing civil war and the difficulty in accessing areas controlled by rebels. Therefore, the option that best reflects the passage's explanation is the one mentioning Syria being a war-torn country with areas under rebel control.
| Reason for Sparse Aid in Syria (as per passage) | Alignment with Options |
|---|---|
| Civil war | Directly supports Option 1 |
| Isolation of rebel-held region | Directly supports Option 1 |
| Single UN border crossing & road damage | Logistical issue mentioned, partially relates to Options 3 & 4, but not the main reason given for overall sparse aid |
Revision Table: Earthquake Aid Challenges
| Country | Aid Situation | Key Challenges (as per passage) |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | Tens of thousands of rescuers, offers from 95 countries. | Large scale destruction, bitter cold. |
| Syria | International aid "far more sparse". | Civil war, isolated rebel-held regions, single UN border crossing logistical issues (road damage). |
Additional Information: Humanitarian Aid in Conflict Zones
Delivering humanitarian aid during or after a natural disaster is often complex, but it becomes significantly more challenging in regions affected by ongoing conflict, like Syria. Several factors contribute to these difficulties:
- Access Constraints: Conflict lines, damaged infrastructure (like roads and bridges), and security risks make it dangerous and difficult for aid workers and supplies to reach affected populations, especially in areas controlled by different factions.
- Political Obstacles: Governments or non-state armed groups may impose restrictions on aid delivery, control border crossings, or divert aid for political or military purposes. Negotiations with multiple parties are often required, which can be time-consuming and complex.
- Security Risks: Aid convoys and personnel can be targets of violence, kidnapping, or looting, requiring significant security measures that slow down operations.
- Funding Disparities: International donors may be hesitant to provide aid in conflict zones due to concerns about diversion, security, or political sensitivities, leading to underfunding of relief efforts.
- Coordination Challenges: Coordinating aid efforts among various international organizations, local NGOs, and different authorities (government and non-state) in a fragmented conflict environment is extremely difficult.
These factors collectively impede the speed, scale, and effectiveness of humanitarian responses, leading to greater suffering for affected populations compared to similar disasters in stable regions.
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Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
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