United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says a UN convoy has entered quake-hit Syria to deliver relief supplies.

Guterres made the comment during a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday.

The UN chief described the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday as one of the biggest natural disasters in recent times.

He said, "Just hours ago, the first United Nations convoy crossed into northern Syria through the Bab al-Hawa crossing. It included six trucks carrying shelter and other desperately needed relief supplies."

The supplies are mainly for people living in camps in the country's northwest. They were forced to flee from their homes when Syrian government forces launched attacks.

Guterres stressed that all efforts should be made to help the people who have been affected. He said that includes working with the administration of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The secretary-general said, "My appeal is for this question not to be politicized and this is a moment in which we all must be together to support people in need."

Guterres added, "I strongly appeal to the international community to show the people of Turkey and Syria the same kind of support and generosity with which they received, protected and assisted millions of refugees and displaced people in an enormous show of solidarity."