International aid pours in for victims of massive quake in Turkey, Syria
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Several nations and aid groups are mobilising to help in search-and-rescue operations in areas that were hit by a massive quake in Turkey and Syria on Feb 6, 2023.
PHOTO: AFP
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ISTANBUL – Dozens of governments and international aid organisations have responded with offers of support after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that 45 countries and territories have offered help with search-and-rescue efforts.
Here is a list of some of those announcements of support:
Malaysia
Malaysia has deployed 70 rescue specialists from its elite Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team to Turkey to assist in rescue efforts. The team comprised of medical specialists, the K9 unit from the fire and rescue services department and a hazardous chemical materials team.
South Korea
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol has issued an order to send rescue workers and emergency medical items to Turkey, Mr Yoon’s office said on Tuesday. “Yoon ordered related government agencies... to come up with additional support measures in case needed by Turkey,” the presidential office said in a statement.
Britain
Britain will immediately send emergency response specialists, dogs and equipment to Turkey, Foreign Minister James Cleverly said on Monday. Mr Cleverly tweeted: “The UK is sending immediate support to Turkey, including a team of 76 search & rescue specialists, equipment and rescue dogs.” The team was set to arrive late on Monday at Gaziantep in south-eastern Turkey.
China
China will give a first tranche of 40 million yuan (S$7.8 million) in emergency aid to help Turkey’s relief efforts after this week’s major earthquake, state broadcaster CCTV said on Tuesday.
China’s Red Cross will give emergency aid of US$200,000 (S$265,000) each to Turkey and Syria, it added.
Germany
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said Germany’s federal civil protection agency could provide camps with emergency shelters and water treatment units, and that it was already preparing relief supplies with emergency generators, tents and blankets, in coordination with the Turkish authorities.
World Health Organisation
World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the WHO’s network of emergency medical teams has been activated to provide essential health care for the injured and most vulnerable affected by the earthquake.
Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy’s Civil Protection was standing by to contribute support and provide first aid.
India
New Delhi said two teams from India’s National Disaster Response Force comprising 100 personnel with specially trained dog squads and equipment were ready to be flown to the disaster area for search-and-rescue operations.
Medical teams were being readied and relief material was being sent in coordination with the Turkish authorities.
Poland
Poland will send its rescue group Husar consisting of 76 firemen and eight rescue dogs, Interior and Administration Minister Mariusz Kaminski said.
European Union
European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said the EU’s 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre has been in contact with the Turkish authorities and has activated its emergency Copernicus satellite mapping service to help first responders working on the ground.
Taiwan
Taiwan’s fire department said a team of 40 rescuers, along with three search-and-rescue dogs and four to five tonnes of aid, would leave for Turkey on Monday.
Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv was ready to send support. “We are at this moment close to the friendly Turkish people, ready to provide the necessary assistance,” he said.
Russia
Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said two IL-76 aircraft with 100 rescuers were ready to fly out to Turkey, if required. President Vladimir Putin sent messages to Turkey and to Syria, where Russian troops have been supporting the Syrian military, expressing condolences to the presidents of both nations and offering support.
Greece
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis offered condolences and support to Turkey, saying Greece was mobilising its resources and will assist immediately.
Spain
Spanish urban rescue teams are preparing to travel to Turkey, Spain’s Interior Ministry said, and officials from the Defence Ministry and other departments were coordinating to send the crews immediately to Turkey.
Norwegian Refugee Council
The NRC said it was assessing the situation to provide direct support to those most affected across Syria. “A massive scale-up is needed, and our organisation will be part of it,” said Mr Carsten Hansen, Middle East regional director for NRC. He also appealed for more international support for Syria and southern Turkey. REUTERS
