Countries from all across the world have put aside political differences and conflicts to send relief after a huge earthquake killed more than 23,000 people in Turkey and Syria.
Medical personnel, soldiers, rescue dogs, and a massive amount of equipment have already arrived, and some are on their way to both countries. People are abandoning their homes and loved ones to help those who are suffering from the bitter weather. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have sent teams to Turkey to assess and coordinate disaster relief efforts. Over 1,400 workers and over 45 search dogs had arrived.
A number of countries have promised help in the search and rescue operations that are being hampered by cold and snow. Here is a list of overseas aid that has been promised and some that has already been provided –
Afghanistan: According to a foreign ministry announcement, Afghanistan’s Taliban administration would send $166,000 in aid to Turkey and Syria to aid in the reaction to the earthquake.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan… announces a relief package of 10 million Afghanis ($111,024) and 5 million Afghanis ($55,512) to Türkiye and Syria, respectively, on the basis of shared humanity and Islamic brotherhood,” a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Algeria: Algeria dispatched an 89-member civil protection team to Turkey and an 85-member team to Syria to assist with rescue attempts, as well as 210 tonnes of humanitarian aid to both countries, according to the Algerian weekly Echorouk El-Youmi.
Belgium: Belgium has sent its Belgian First Aid and Support Team (B-FAST) to set up a field hospital in Turkey
Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Ottawa would send $10 million in humanitarian relief to Turkey and Syria, as well as food, emergency fuel, and items for shelter.
China: China has pledged $5.9 million in emergency aid to Turkey, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The country’s Red Cross will also provide $200,000 in emergency relief to Turkey and Syria.
Egypt: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has promised Turkey support and humanitarian supplies, and he spoke with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday and offered relief aid.
France: France has sent rescue teams to Turkey, including 71 rescue personnel and 65 firefighters.
A high-capacity field hospital and 50,000 diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations are also being provided.
The country will give the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies €500,000 (£442,795).
France has pledged €12 million (£10.7 million) in emergency help to Syria in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.
European Union: The European Union has deployed 27 search and rescue teams to Turkey to look for survivors, according to EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic.
The units are made up of 1,150 rescue workers and 70 dogs from 19 European nations, including non-EU members Montenegro and Albania.
Germany: On Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and announced that a search and rescue team of 50 rescuers and equipment had left for Turkey.
Greece: Greece, Turkey’s neighbour and longstanding regional adversary announced it will send a team of 21 rescuers, two rescue dogs, and a special rescue vehicle to Turkey in a military transport jet, along with a structural engineer, five physicians, and seismic planning experts.
Despite decades of hostility and recent tensions over migration and hydrocarbon development, Greece and Turkey have a long tradition of assisting one another in times of disaster.
India: According to India’s foreign ministry, two National Disaster Response Force teams consisting of 100 personnel, dog squads, and equipment were ready to be airlifted to the impacted area.
According to India’s foreign ministry, two National Disaster Response Force teams consisting of 100 personnel, dog squads, and equipment were ready to be airlifted to the impacted area.
Iran: Nasser Kanaani, a spokeswoman for Iran’s foreign ministry, conveyed “condolences and sincere sympathy” to the earthquake-affected countries and expressed the Islamic Republic’s willingness to assist the victims.
“If there is a need for the presence of relief and health institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the earthquake-affected areas, we will fulfil our moral responsibility,” Kanaani added, describing the offer as a human and Islamic responsibility.
Iraq: Iraq stated it would send civil defence troops with emergency aid and relief materials to Turkey and Syria.
Israel: The Israeli army announced it was sending a search and rescue team to Turkey comprised of 150 engineers, medical experts, and other relief workers.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed he approved sending relief to earthquake-ravaged Syria after getting a request through diplomatic channels, despite the fact that the two nations have no official links.
Italy: The Italian Civil Protection Agency has offered aid to Turkey, and a firefighting unit from Pisa has been dispatched. According to the Italian military, transport flights are transporting medical equipment and people.
Jordan: King Abdullah II deployed a jet with a team of five doctors and 99 rescuers as well as logistical and other equipment.
Kuwait: Kuwait sent two military planes transporting aid to both nations on Tuesday and offered to construct an air bridge that will contain rescue equipment, medical supplies, and relief aid.
The help would be delivered in collaboration with the Red Crescent, the Ministry of Health, and the Kuwaiti army, according to the administration. The country’s General Fire Force will also help with disaster assistance, having previously assisted with firefighting activities in Turkey, Greece, and North Africa in 2021.
Lebanon: Lebanon’s government announced that it will send soldiers, Red Cross and Civil Defence first responders, and firefighters to Turkey and Syria to assist in rescue attempts.
The Lebanese Army has dispatched 15 engineers to Syria and 20 to Turkey.
Malaysia: Malaysia sent 70 members of its Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team to Turkey to help with rescue efforts. Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said he has spoken with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, to get the latest information on the situation. Zambry said in a statement – “I am sad to say, the destruction is massive and the countries affected by the earthquake will require support from everyone.”
Nigeria: In a statement by the office of the president of Nigeria, the President is willing to offer its full support in any way possible to both countries.
Norway: Norway has announced a $14.5 million donation to NGOs and humanitarian organisations assisting victims of Turkey and Syria earthquake.
Pakistan: According to a statement from the prime minister’s office, Pakistan dispatched a C-130 plane carrying a search and rescue team late Monday. Meanwhile, a 50-person rescue team and 25 tonnes of relief supplies were flown to Turkey on a Pakistan International Airlines flight, according to the statement.
Qatar: Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, called Erdogan to offer his sympathies. According to state news agency QNA, it would send 120 rescuers, a field hospital, humanitarian materials, tents, and winter supplies to Turkey. A Government-funded Qatar Charity is also reported to be serving 27,000 hot meals in the Turkish city of Gaziantep, where it has an office.
Russia: Following meetings with his counterparts Recep Tayyip Erdoan and Bashar al-Assad, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated he will send rescue workers to both nations.
Saudi Arabia: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center was given permission to operate an air bridge, deliver medical supplies, humanitarian aid, and other logistical support to the disaster zones in both nations by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Spain: With 85 personnel and a group of volunteer firemen, Spain has dispatched two urban search and rescue teams to Turkey.
Sweden: Sweden announced on Tuesday that it would contribute $2.8 million in aid, up from its previous commitment of $660,000 on Monday.
Tunisia: Following the earthquake, Tunisia said that it would send 14 tonnes of blankets, food, and infant formula to Turkey and Syria, along with other supplies gathered by the Tunisian Red Crescent. According to state news agency TAP, a team of rescuers from the Tunisian civil protection force and volunteer physicians are also scheduled to arrive in both nations soon.
Tunisia’s president, Kais Saied, declared on the official presidency’s social media accounts: “Tunisia is fully ready to stand with its brothers in Syria and Turkey in this tragedy and will provide all necessary aid and assistance to overcome its repercussions.”
Ukraine: The war-torn nation of Ukraine, according to its president Volodymyr Zelensky, is ready to provide the necessary support to overcome the consequences of the calamity. On Tuesday, Kyiv announced the dispatch of a team of several dozen rescuers to Turkey.
United Arab Emirates: The UAE announced on Tuesday that it would contribute $50 million in aid to Syria and Turkey, respectively. It would also establish a field hospital in Turkey and deliver immediate help to Syria’s most vulnerable districts. The UAE has dispatched seven relief flights to assist with search and rescue operations in both nations, with two of them landing in Damascus.
United Kingdom: The United Kingdom dispatched 77 search-and-rescue personnel to Turkey, along with equipment and dogs and an emergency medical team. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also notified Turkey’s Erdogan that the UK had increased help to aid organisations and emergency services.
United States: According to the White House, the US is deploying two 79-person search-and-rescue teams to assist Turkish officials. Meanwhile, approximately 100 Los Angeles County firemen and structural engineers would be dispatched to Turkey, along with six specially trained dogs. The US Agency for International Development has also pledged $85 million (£70 million) in life-saving assistance.
