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Countries rush aid and rescue teams to Turkey and Syria to help survivors

Countries rush aid and rescue teams to Turkey and Syria to help survivors

Middle East, News February 9, 2023 , by No Comments on Countries rush aid and rescue teams to Turkey and Syria to help survivors

Search teams and emergency aid from around the world are arriving in Turkey as rescuers working in freezing temperatures dug through the remains of buildings flattened by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. The death toll soared above 46,000.

Turkish officials confirmed that the death toll has passed 40,600 in the country. The death toll in Syria has climbed past 5,800. Tens of thousands more are injured. More than 8,000 people have been pulled from the debris in Turkey across 10 provinces so far, and some 380,000 have taken refuge in government shelters or hotels, said Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay.

An unknown number of people remain trapped as aftershocks, freezing temperatures, and damaged roads are hampering rescue efforts to tackle the enormous humanitarian emergency triggered by the world’s deadliest quake in more than a decade. World Health Organization earlier warned that the number of fatalities could exceed 20,000.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a state of emergency in 10 provinces in order to manage the response as some 13 million of the country’s 85 million were affected in some way.

South Korean rescue team members prepare to board a plane to leave for quake-ravaged Turkey at the Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, on Feb. 7, 2023. (Image Credit: AP /Ahn Young-joon)

Rescue teams from around the world rush to Turkiye

Several countries have dispatched search and rescue teams to southern Turkiye. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on February 8 that a total number of 3,319 search-and-rescue personnel have arrived from different countries. President Erdogan earlier said that more than 60 countries provided the assistance, and thanked everyone for their support. Later on February 12, the Turkish foreign ministry said that about 95 countries have offered help to Turkiye.

Here is a list of the international mobilization and offers of assistance since February 6:

United Nations: The UN has released $25 million from its emergency fund to help kickstart the humanitarian response. “As the people in the region deal with the devastating consequences of this tragedy, we want to tell them that they are not alone,” U.N. humanitarian chief and emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths said Tuesday. “The humanitarian community will support them in every step of the way out of this crisis.”

Urban Search and Rescue members from Fairfax County, Virginia, are boarded onto a C-17 Globemaster III on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, on February 7, 2023. (Image Credit: U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Faith Barron)

Azerbaijan: Turkish media reported that Azerbaijan was the first country to send a team after a call for international assistance was declared by Turkey. More than 400 Azerbaijani personnel are engaged in search and rescue efforts in quake-hit cities. The country is also sending two more planes carrying assistance personnel, materials, and a field hospital. Residents and volunteers in Azerbaijan also collected donations and packed them to send the items to the people of Turkey.

United States: U.S. President Joe Biden called President Erdogan and underscored “the readiness of the United States to provide any and all needed assistance” to its NATO ally Turkey. United States Agency for International Development (USAID) search and rescue squads arrived at Incirlik Air Base on February 8 to help with earthquake efforts. The U.S. is also routing aid from its European Command to Turkey and Syria. Marine Lt. Col. Garron J. Garn, a USEUCOM spokesperson said that “the United States is determined to do all that we can to help those affected by these earthquakes in the days, weeks, and months ahead.” U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa said in a Facebook post that “Airmen from the 436th Aerial Port Squadron processed U.S. humanitarian assistance Feb. 7, 2023, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, in support of search and rescue efforts in Turkiye”.

On February 9, the United States also announced an initial $85m package for Turkiye in emergency relief. According to the USAID statement, the funding will go to partners on the ground “to deliver urgently needed aid for millions of people”, as well as provide food, shelter, and emergency health services to the affected people.

United Kingdom: The UK said it will provide vital items such as tents and blankets to help survivors cope with the freezing conditions. The equipment being urgently deployed from the UK’s stockpile will meet the needs of up to 15,000 people. The UK announced £8 million of additional support after sending a team of 77 UK search and rescue specialists, equipment and four search dogs arrived in Gaziantep yesterday. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that “The UK is sending life saving kit to Turkey and Syria. This will include vital medical expertise and hygiene kits and also tents and blankets to help people keep warm and sheltered in the terrible freezing conditions … Our priority is to ensure life saving assistance is given to those most in need.”

China: The Chinese government immediately started deploying humanitarian aid for Turkey and Syria. China announced 40 million yuan ($5.9 million) as part of its first batch of emergency relief. China is also coordinating the delivery of urgently needed relief supplies to Syria and accelerating the implementation of ongoing food aid projects. On February 8, China offered emergency humanitarian aid of 30 million yuan ($4.4 million) to earthquake-hit Syria, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. China has sent an 82-strong team with 20 tonnes of medical and other rescue supplies and equipment, as well as four search-and-rescue dogs, CCTV said. The country’s Red Cross will give emergency aid of $200,000 each to Turkey and Syria.

European Union: The European Union’s top foreign policy official says ten member states are providing urban search and rescue teams to help Turkey deal with massive earthquake damage. In a joint statement, High Representative Josep Borrell and the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said teams have been mobilized from France, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania to support the first responders on the ground. Italy, Spain, Slovakia, and Finland have also offered to send their rescue teams.

Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will provide an initial $10 million in aid to Turkey and Syria. International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan said that while the ongoing civil war in Syria is a complicating factor and Canada’s previously announced $50 million in aid to Syria can help support earthquake relief efforts. Canadian aid in Syria will be provided through the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the International Red Cross organization in the country.

Australia: Australia said it would provide A$10 million ($7 million) to help rescue mission and deploy an urban search and rescue team of up to 72 people to Turkey.

Japan: The Japanese government and charities in the country are also sending rescue teams and aid to quake-devastated areas of Turkey and Syria. Japan sent a second group of 55 people from the Japan International Emergency Rescue Team to Turkiye with four search dogs on February 7. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio sent a message of condolence to President Erdogan and expressed his heartfelt condolences.

South Korea: South Korea will dispatch a 60-person search and rescue team and also send medical supplies. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol described Turkey as a “brother nation” that sent troops to fight alongside South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War.

Pakistan: Pakistan sent two planeloads of relief supplies such as beds and tents, a 30-bed mobile hospital, as well as search and rescue teams, sniffer dogs, and search equipment, to help rescuers get to the survivors. Pakistan’s ministers announced to donate one month of their salary to the relief fund to help the people of Turkiye.

India: India said it would send 100 members of its Natural Disaster Response Force, specially trained dog squads, and equipment to Turkey. Indian authorities dispatched more than 50 SAR personnel, including relief materials, and medicines. The medical team includes critical care specialists, and surgeons and is equipped with X-ray machines, ventilators, and an oxygen generation plant.

United Arab Emirates: The UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan “ordered the provision of $100 million for the relief of those affected”. The sum would be equally split between Syria and Turkey, with each getting $50 million, according to WAM news agency.

Malaysia: Malaysia deployed its Special Search and Rescue Team ( SMART), accredited by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), to assist Turkish rescue teams. Many members of the Malaysian SMART team immediately assumed duties at various locations in Adana and Gaziantep on February 7.

Qatar: Qatar said it will send 10,000 mobile homes to Turkiye and Syria. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani ordered the launch of an airlift to help quake victims. State news agency QNA said a rescue team, a field hospital, relief aid, tents, and winter supplies will be dispatched to the country.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman directed the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) to operate an air bridge to help earthquake victims in Syria and Turkiye. The bridge will help provide health, shelter, food, and logistical assistance.

Israel: Israel sent a rescue team, a delegation organized by the Israeli United Hatsala first-aid volunteer organization, and a 150-member delegation of serving and reserve Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officers specialized in rescue, firefighting, paramedical care, and medical staff. The delegation brought hundreds of cold-weather sleeping bags and tents and some 1,500 food rations. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced Monday night that Israel will set up a field hospital in one of the hardest-hit areas.

Russia: Russia said it is sending 300 military personnel to Syria were helping efforts to clear up the debris. The Defense Ministry said staff and 60 units of military hardware had begun “removing rubble, searching for victims, and providing them with medical assistance in areas that have experienced the most severe destruction.” Russia was Assad’s biggest ally during the civil war.

Greece: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed “deep sorrow” over the earthquake and said that Greece is “placing all our rescue forces at Turkey’s disposal depending on what else they may ask us for.” Setting aside decades of animosity and recent tension over migration and hydrocarbon exploration, Greece sent a team of 21 rescuers, two rescue dogs, and a special rescue vehicle, together with a structural engineer, doctors, and seismic experts to Turkey.

Lebanon: Lebanon’s government is sending a team consisting of Lebanese army soldiers, Red Cross and Civil Defense first responders, and firefighters to Turkey to help with its rescue efforts.

Algeria: Algeria has sent an 89-member civil protection team to Turkey and another 85-member team to Syria to help in the rescue efforts, along with 210 tonnes of humanitarian aid for both countries, an Algerian newspaper reported.

Iraq: Iraq pledged to send two planes of emergency relief aid to Syria, as well as civil defense teams and 150 paramedics to Turkey, as a government spokesman expressed Iraq’s support for “our brothers, the Syrian people.”


Sanctions slow aid to Syria:

Diplomatic tensions with the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over the civil war and sanctions the U.S. and European countries have made it difficult for countries to send international aid. Much of the international community is reluctant to route aid directly through the government since many Western countries have no formal diplomatic relations with Assad. Emergency workers say delays could cost lives, as local rescue crews struggle to pull people from the rubble.

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