A massive earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on Monday, killing over 21,000 people. The search for survivors has been hampered by bitter cold and the difficulty of accessing areas affected by the quake. The World Health Organization’s head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is on his way to Syria to support the efforts to provide essential health care to those affected by the earthquake. The UN has urged the Security Council to open new cross-border humanitarian aid points to deliver aid to the affected regions, as the Bab al-Hawa border crossing is the only way UN assistance can reach civilians in rebel-held areas. The decade-long civil war and Syrian-Russian aerial bombardment have already caused widespread destruction and shortages of electricity, fuel, and water. The harsh weather conditions and lack of shelter are threatening the lives of many earthquake victims, who are without drinking water and warmth. The number of casualties is expected to rise.