Glance at what’s being provided to Turkiye, Syria after deadly quake

Many governments and aid groups have rushed to dispatch personnel, funds and equipment to help the rescue efforts in quake-stricken areas of Turkiye and Syria. Here’s a glance at what’s being provided so far:

European Union

The European Union has mobilized search and rescue teams to help Turkey, while the 27-nation bloc’s Copernicus satellite system has been activated to provide emergency mapping services. At least 13 member countries have offered assistance. The EU said it’s also ready to offer help to Syria through its humanitarian assistance programs.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman made a phone call on Monday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to offer condolences over the casualties in the devastating earthquake, and pledged Saudi support to overcome the disaster.

The Crown Prince offered his deepest condolences to the Turkish president and the people as well as the families of the earthquake victims. He also wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

The Crown Prince reaffirmed the Kingdom’s solidarity and support for the Turkish Republic to overcome this natural disaster.

UAE

In implementation of the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Joint Operations Command of the Ministry of Defence announced the launch of “Gallant Knight / 2” operation to provide assistance for the peoples of Syria and Türkiye.

The operation includes the participation of the Armed Forces, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation; and the Emirates Red Crescent.

The humanitarian and medical aid comes within the framework of the urgent response to mitigate the repercussions of the earthquake that struck Syria and Türkiye.

Meanwhile, the first aid plane took off from Abu Dhabi to Adana Airport, southern Türkiye, carrying search and rescue teams, crews, and medical equipment.

Qatar

In implementation of the directives of the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the first flights of the air bridge allocated by the State of Qatar to support the sisterly Republic of Turkiye to confront the disaster of the earthquake that struck southern Turkiye, started.

Within the framework of the continuous Qatari efforts to contribute to relieving the quake-affected people in Syria and Turkey, the State of Qatar has allocated 10,000 mobile homes that will be delivered to the affected areas.

The first flights of the air bridge are accompanied by a team from the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) equipped with specialized mechanisms for search and rescue operations, in addition to a field hospital, relief aid, tents and winter supplies.

Azerbaijan

Republic of Azerbaijan has established an operational headquarters, following the earthquake that hit the Turkish Kahramanmaras and adjacent provinces on February 6, 2023, media reports citing the ministry.

Citizens of Azerbaijan and their relatives affected by the earthquake can contact the headquarters via +994125969449 (from 09:00 to 18:00 (GMT+4)); +994503422491 (24/7), or e-mail via cmmkon@mfa.gov.az.

Under President Ilham Aliyev’s instructions, a group of rescue forces of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) have arrived in Türkiye to eliminate the consequences of the strong earthquake, as well as support search and rescue operations in the quake-hit areas, media reports.

Currently, the rescue forces are moving from the Turkish city of Adana to areas hardest hit by the earthquake to join the search and rescue operations.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan will send humanitarian aid and a rescue team from the Ministry of Emergency Situations to Turkiye.

The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev gave a corresponding instruction. Uzbekistan will send humanitarian aid to Turkey for victims of a strong earthquake.

According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, 60 rescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and three special rescue equipment will be sent to Turkey to eliminate the consequences of earthquakes.

Pakistan

The Foreign Office reiterated that Pakistan stood in complete solidarity with the brotherly people of Turkiye in the wake of unprecedented natural calamity.

“Beyond the immediate relief effort, we will continue to work with Turkiye in the post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction phases,” the spokesperson said in a press release.

On the instructions of the prime minister, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was mobilising all available resources including winterised tents, blankets and other critical life-saving supplies, it was added.

Urban Search and Rescue Teams trained to operate in disaster hit areas were being dispatched with their equipment and medicines.

“Our Mission in Ankara remains in constant touch with the relevant Turkish authorities to identify any additional requirement for the earthquake affected areas,” the spokesperson said.

The government and people of Pakistan had received the news of a massive earthquake in Southern Turkiye earlier in the day, with deep sorrow and anguish, the spokesperson said.

China

China’s Red Cross Society is providing the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Red Crescent with $200,000 each in cash humanitarian assistance. The society said Tuesday it will send further humanitarian aid if needed.

United States

The United States is coordinating immediate assistance to NATO-member Turkiye, including teams to support search and rescue efforts. U.S.-supported humanitarian partners are also responding to the destruction in Syria. In California, nearly 100 Los Angeles County firefighters and structural engineers, along with a half-dozen specially trained dogs, were being sent to Turkey to help with rescue efforts.

Russia

Russian rescue teams from the Emergencies Ministry are preparing to fly to Syria, where Russian military deployed in that country already has sent 10 units comprising 300 people to help clear debris and search for survivors. The Russian military has set up points to distribute humanitarian assistance. Russia also has offered help to Turkey, which has been accepted.

United Nations

War-ravaged Syria is calling on the United Nations and all member states to help with rescue efforts, health services, shelter and food aid. The affected area in Syria is divided between government-held territory and the country’s last opposition-held enclave.

Israel

The Israeli army says it’s sending a search and rescue team of 150 engineers, medical personnel and other aid workers to Turkey. The army said they would provide “immediate assistance in life-saving efforts.” The two countries, once close regional allies, are in the process of mending ties after years of tensions. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has also approved a request for humanitarian aid for Syria, received through a diplomatic official. Israel and Syria do not have diplomatic relations and the two countries have fought several wars.

Greece

Neighbor and historic regional rival Greece is sending Turkiye a team of 21 rescuers, two rescue dogs and a special rescue vehicle, together with a structural engineer, five doctors and seismic planning experts in a military transport plane.

Germany

Germany’s Foreign Ministry said it is coordinating its aid response with EU partners and readying deliveries of emergency generators, tents, blankets and water treatment equipment. It also has offered to send teams from the THW civil protection agency to Turkey to help with the response. The group International Search and Rescue Germany was also preparing to fly dozens of doctors and rescue experts to Turkiye late Monday.

South Korea

South Korea says it will dispatch a 60-person search and rescue team and also send medical supplies to Turkey. The regional government of Gyeonggi Province, near the capital Seoul, said it plans to provide $1 million in humanitarian assistance to Turkiye to support rescue efforts and the medical response. Announcing the plan, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol described Turkiye as a “brother nation” that swiftly sent troops to fight alongside South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War.

United Kingdom

Britain is sending 76 search-and-rescue specialists with equipment and dogs, as well as an emergency medical team, to Turkey. The U.K. also says it’s in contact with the U.N. about getting support to victims in Syria.

Lebanon

Lebanon’s cash-strapped government is sending soldiers, Red Cross and Civil Defense first responders, and firefighters to Turkiye to help with its rescue efforts.

Jordan

Jordan is sending emergency aid to Syria and Turkiye on the orders of King Abdullah II.

Egypt

Egypt has pledged urgent humanitarian aid to Turkiye.

Japan

Japan is sending a group of about 75 rescue workers to Turkiye.

Mexico

Mexico’s foreign affairs secretary said the country will send equipment and rescue specialists to Turkiye.

Europe

— Austria has offered to send 84 soldiers from a military disaster relief unit to Turkiye.

— Spain was preparing to send two Urban Search and Rescue teams to Turkiye with 85 personnel, and a contingent of volunteer firefighters.

— Italy’s Civil Protection Agency has offered assistance to Turkiye. A firefighting team was preparing to leave from Pisa, and the Italian military says transport flights will carry equipment as well as health and other personnel.

— France is dispatching rescue teams to Turkiye.

— Poland is sending Turkiye 76 firefighters and eight trained dogs, with equipment.

— Romania is sending specialized personnel and material to Turkiye on two military aircraft.

— Croatia is sending 40 men and 10 dogs, rescue equipment and vans to Turkiye.

— Serbia is sending 21 rescuers and three liaison officers to Turkiye.

— Montenegro is sending at least 24 firefighters to Turkiye.

— Moldova’s president says 55 rescue workers have been sent to Turkiye.

— Swiss rescue dog service REDOG is sending 22 rescuers with 14 dogs to Turkiye. The government said it would also send 80 search and rescue specialists to the country, including army disaster experts.

— The Czech Republic is sending Turkey a team of 68 rescuers, including firefighters, doctors, structural engineers and also experts with sniffer dogs.

New Zealand

New Zealand is providing $632,000 to the Turkish Red Crescent and $316,000 to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to deliver items such as food, tents and blankets, as well as provide medical assistance and psychological support.