Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

 

Earthquake Triggers Global Solidarity with Victims in Turkiye and Syria, Rescue Teams, Air and Land Aid Cargoes From Around the World

February 15, 2023

 

Qatari aid crew in Turkiye, February 15, 2023	A Saudi aid plane is seen, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, at Aleppo airport, Syria February 14, 2023

Spanish rescue team in Turkiye, February 15, 2023	Armenian rescue team in Turkiye, February 15, 2023

 

Note: The following are just examples of news stories about the global response.

 

Qatar mobilizes all means to help Türkiye after earthquakes

BY ANADOLU AGENCY

 Daily Sabah, DOHA FEB 14, 2023

Qatar has mobilized all capabilities to assist the victims of two major earthquakes that devastated Türkiye and Syria last week.

"Qatar has put all its capabilities at the disposal of the brothers in Türkiye to support them after the earthquake disaster," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari told Anadolu Agency (AA).

"The world faces a major humanitarian catastrophe in Türkiye and Syria. This is a real test for all humanity," he added.

Al-Ansari, an adviser to the foreign minister, said rescue and relief efforts are "a major priority at present."

"The Qatari role will continue during the various stages of this crisis as long as it's needed," he added.

At least 35,418 people were killed and more than 81,000 others injured in two powerful earthquakes that jolted southern Türkiye on Feb. 6, according to the country's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaraş province, were felt by 13 million people across 10 provinces in Türkiye and affected several countries in the region.

In Syria, at least 3,688 people were killed and over 14,749 injured in the earthquake.

Global solidarity

Al-Ansari hailed the rapid and intensive international response to the earthquake disaster in Türkiye and Syria.

"This broad global solidarity is an indication that countries of the world can put aside political complexities and economic challenges to deal with a disaster of this magnitude," he said.

"We affirm that Qataris support all international efforts to help those affected and alleviate the impact of the disaster that befell them," he added.

Al-Ansari called on all countries and institutions "to provide as much support and assistance as possible to alleviate the suffering of the earthquake victims."

"Every minute that passes without more aid arriving may mean the loss of a precious life," he said.

Al-Ansari said the Qatari response to the earthquake disaster was quick.

"Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani contacted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and expressed full solidarity with Türkiye and its people in this crisis," he said.

"The emir also directed the operation of an air bridge that included a search and rescue team consisting of 120 people, 12 vehicles, integrated equipment, three field hospitals, and a medical team," he added.

Doha also sent "humanitarian aid, foodstuffs, winter clothes, tents and medical aid with three planes loaded with aid flying daily for quake victims in Türkiye and Syria," the spokesperson said.

"Qatar also began to send 10,000 mobile homes by sea, and the Qatar Fund for Development supported the White Helmets civil defense agency in Syria to facilitate search and rescue operations and provide the necessary logistical capabilities."

Al-Ansari said Sheikh Tamim's visit to Türkiye on Sunday was meant to show solidarity with those affected by the earthquake.

He said the Qatari campaign "Oun w Sanad" (Support and Help) collected around 168 million Qatari riyals ($46 million) on its first day.

"There is no doubt that what brings us together in terms of brotherhood in religion and common history requires us all to be one hand," al-Ansari said.

"The Arab response at the popular and official levels was comprehensive and rapid, which is the least possible under these circumstances," he added.

Qatar mobilizes all means to help Türkiye after earthquakes | Daily Sabah

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First Saudi aid plane lands in Syria’s govt-held areas - state media

A Saudi aid plane is seen, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, at Aleppo airport, Syria February 14, 2023. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi

BEIRUT, Feb 14, 2023 (Reuters) -

A Saudi aid plane landed at a Syrian airport held by the government of President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday in the first such shipment from the kingdom that has backed the armed opposition to Assad during the country's 11-year civil war.

Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya reported that the plane carrying 35 tons of food and medical aid and shelter arrived at Aleppo International airport as part of a Saudi humanitarian operation to help Syrians affected by last week's deadly earthquake.

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It said the operation was carried out on the orders of Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

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"The directives given to us from the leadership in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is to help the brotherly Syrian people affected (by the earthquake) across Syria," a member of the Saudi delegation told Syrian television.

The person, who was not identified, said that Tuesday's plane was the first of several set to arrive over the next days.

Before Tuesday, Saudi Arabia had sent aid only to the country's opposition-held northwest, including a convoy of 12 trucks that arrived in the devastated city of Jandaris on Monday, according to Saudi state-owned Al-Hadath.

The overall death toll from last week's earthquake in Turkey and Syria has topped 37,000, more than 5,714 of them in Syria according to a Reuters tally of reports from Syrian state media and a U.N. agency.

First Saudi aid plane lands in Syria’s govt-held areas - state media | Reuters

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Right attitude needed in post-quake era: German NGO leader

BY ANADOLU AGENCY

 ADANA, TÜRKIYE 

Daily Sabah, FEB 15, 2023

A positive attitude is needed amid the complex post-earthquake situation in Türkiye, said the leader of a German charitable agency on Wednesday.

"We need a solution-oriented response," Alex, the team leader of Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland or ASB, told Anadolu Agency (AA) outside Adana Airport where he was waiting for a 15-member team to arrive.

ASB is a German charitable aid agency founded in 1888 and has 200 offices across the country. It also operates in 14 other nations.

Alex is the leader of a four-member ASB team that arrived in Türkiye on Feb. 7, a day after magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 tremors ripped through Kahramanmaraş and nine other provinces of Hatay, Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Malatya, Adana, Diyarbakır, Kilis, Osmaniye and Şanlıurfa. More than 13 million people have been affected by the devastating quakes.

At least 35,418 people were killed while thousands have been injured across the 10 provinces, which witnessed widespread destruction due to, what experts describe as, the "pancake" collapse of buildings.

"This is a complex situation and we cannot waste time going by the book," said Alex, who just gave his first name.

"Going by the book will cost us time ... We need to respond to the situation on the ground," he said, lauding "good" coordination and communication with Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

"We have very easy communication and working (relations) with the AFAD," he added.

In the past week, the ASB team visited Kahramanmaraş and Hatay provinces where they assessed the ground situation in terms of health and quality of water in the aftermath of the earthquakes.

Excited over how the local people responded to their work, Alex said, "Despite the (bad) situation, everyone was extending us help and offering us things."

"We are very happy over how people welcomed us, and how locals are organizing the humanitarian response for the quake-affected people," the German humanitarian leader said.

He said local people rushed to fix their car when it broke down during their survey.

Lauding the relentless efforts of Turkish doctors, Alex said his team will carry tents, medicine and objects for water purification in the affected areas in Samandağ in Hatay.

Disaster response

According to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, around 13,208 people injured in the quakes are still receiving treatment in Turkish hospitals including those flown to Ankara and Istanbul.

More than 249,000 search and rescue personnel are currently working on the ground, said AFAD. Almost 195,962 people have been evacuated from the quake-hit regions so far, it added.

Condolences have poured in from around the world while expressing solidarity with Türkiye. Many countries are sending rescue teams and aid.

A total of 9,046 foreign personnel from 82 nations are currently working in the disaster zone, the country's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

It also said that 100 countries had offered assistance so far, with two more expected to send rescue teams.

Besides rescue teams, blankets, tents, food and psychological support teams, along with over 12,300 vehicles, including excavators, tractors and bulldozers, were also sent to the affected areas.

President Erdoğan said last Friday that the country is facing one of the biggest disasters in its modern history.

Right attitude needed in post-quake era: German NGO leader | Daily Sabah

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Spain lends helping hand to Türkiye's quake victims

BY DAILY SABAH

 ISTANBUL FEB 15, 2023

Spain continues to lend a helping hand to earthquake survivors in Türkiye, since the first day of the disaster, which devastated the country's southeast on Feb. 6.

The country rushed to its ally's international help call after two massive earthquakes hit 10 provinces.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry announced it mobilized troops and drones from the Military Emergency Unit to help Türkiye. Spain's aid and staff arrived at the Malatya Airport, where Turkish authorities installed the international aid center.

People line up in front of the field hospital established by Spain in Hatay province, Feb. 13, 2023. (AA Photo)

A unit with vast experience in earthquakes and people recovery all over the world accompanied the Spanish troops to Malatya, the Spanish Embassy to Ankara said later in the day. The unit previously came to Türkiye’s aid two years ago to put out wildfires with airplanes.

Spain sent its Juan Calos landing helicopter dock (LHD)-type amphibious assault ship and another navy ship to Türkiye with necessary equipment and personnel to assist humanitarian work, and relief efforts as massive earthquakes hit the NATO country’s southeastern region.

Merkez üssü Kahramanmaraş'ın Pazarcık ve Elbistan ilçeleri olan ve toplam 10 ili etkileyen depremler nedeniyle arama kurtarma çalışmalarına destek amacıyla Türkiye'ye gelen İspanya Valensiya İtfaiyesi arama kurtarma ekibi, Kahramanmaraş'ta çalışmalarını tamamlayarak İstanbul'a geldi. 9 kişilik ekip, Dışişleri Bakanlığı ve İstanbul Havalimanı işletmesi İGA yetkililerince karşılandı. ( İsa Terli - Anadolu Ajansı )

The country also established a field hospital in Hatay province with two surgical units, a great variety of equipment and a team of 100 health staff and 60 doctors.

There are also over 20 voluntary rescue teams that contributed to the rescue efforts in the earthquake zone.

Spain lends helping hand to Türkiye's quake victims | Daily Sabah

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Malaysian PM meets Erdoğan in post-quake solidarity visit to Türkiye

BY DAILY SABAH

 ISTANBUL FEB 15, 2023

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the capital Ankara Wednesday. Ibrahim was in the country in a display of support to the country following Feb. 6 earthquakes which killed thousands in 10 provinces in Türkiye’s south.

Ibrahim is also planning to visit the quake-hit Gaziantep province and look into ongoing relief work in the province, according to the Malaysian embassy. A total of 75 members of the Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Team (SMART) were sent to Türkiye following the natural disaster.

The Malaysian premier extended condolences to Ankara following the earthquake last week, saying: "I am deeply saddened by the huge loss of lives, injuries and massive destruction. On behalf of the government and the people of Malaysia, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims and families, as well as to all countries affected by the disaster. May Allah the Almighty grant the victims and bereaved quick recovery and solace.”

Türkiye received a flurry of high-ranking visitors since the disaster which brought together Türkiye's allies, neighbors and countries from far corners of the globe. The Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was the highest-ranking official to pay condolences in-person to Türkiye when he visited the country and met President Erdoğan last week.

Malaysian PM meets Erdoğan in post-quake solidarity visit to Türkiye | Daily Sabah

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Greek rescue team lauds ‘warm welcome’ by Turkish quake survivors

BY DAILY SABAH WITH AGENCIES

 ISTANBUL FEB 15, 2023 - 11:55 AM GMT+3 Greek emergency unit EMAK members pose for a picture at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport ahead of a press conference upon returning from a rescue mission in Türkiye's Hatay following deadly earthquakes, Greece, Feb. 13, 2023. (IHA Photo) RECOMMENDED

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Upon returning home from a relief mission in the southeastern Turkish province of Hatay following the deadly earthquakes, a group of Greek rescue workers had nothing but praises for local survivors who extended them a warm welcome.

"Despite the hardships they've had to endure, the Turkish people gave us a very friendly welcome and treated us like family," said one of the rescuers during a press conference on Tuesday.

Sokratis Doukas, a doctor with the rescue team, became emotional as he recounted his team’s first moments in Hatay.

While they were looking to liaise with local officials, a very young boy reached Doukas during the chaos and spontaneously offered him a box of biscuits, the doctor told reporters.

“He must have been 7 or 8 years old,” Doukas said. “It may not sound like it’s anything big but, at that moment, it personally meant so much to me.”

When the group had to take breaks, the people approached them to offer hot tea, biscuits, sweets and bread, the rescuer said. "When they learned we were Greeks, they opened their arms wide and embraced us.”

He said they did what they would as neighbors.

"From our experience, we know that in a disaster, you first ask for help from your next-door neighbor and then from the rest of the wider neighborhood."

Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Katsaniotis, who is in charge of coordinating Greek humanitarian aid to Türkiye, announced via Twitter that a truckload of aid collected by the Athens chapter of the Greek Scout Corps had left during the day for Türkiye and another batch of aid collected in the northern port city of Thessaloniki will depart on Feb. 17.

A ship loaded with 1,000 tons of food, medicine and at least 200 large bags of clothes will depart from the port city of Piraeus on Wednesday.

Despite a history of rivalry with Türkiye that goes back centuries, Greece was among the first European countries to send rescuers and humanitarian aid, only a few hours after the disaster last Monday.

The earthquakes also prompted the first contact between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in months the same day as Mitsotakis reiterated Athens’ support to the country, saying “now is the time to leave disputes aside.”

A week into the aftermath, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias too made the first visit by a European minister to Türkiye following the earthquakes when he landed in Adana, one of the provinces affected by the tremors.

The Greek rescue mission to help Türkiye with two devastating earthquakes departs from Elefsina military airport on its way to Incirlik airport base in Türkiye, Greece, Feb. 6, 2023. (AA Photo)

Greek volunteers rally

Indeed, hundreds of people have been mobilized in Europe to help affected people in Türkiye and Syria, where more than 40,000 people combined have been confirmed dead and tens of thousands injured so far.

Five planes with more than 7,500 blankets, 1,500 beds, and 500 tents that families could use were sent in the first days of the disaster in cooperation with the Turkish Embassy in Athens.

The nationwide appeal earned a massive response from Greeks who rushed to collect medicine, cans of food and other supplies for quake victims in Türkiye.

Several municipalities from all over Attica region and other parts of Greece have been gathering clothes, food, tents, heating radiators, and several other goods.

The municipality of Kifisia, a northern Athens suburb, stepped up for the population that was left homeless following the disaster.

"A horrifying tragedy in Türkiye and Syria. Thousands of dead and injured. Millions of people are without shelter or basic goods. The battle of the rescue teams to find life under the wreckage is agonizing. Every practical effort of support and solidarity is valuable" said the city's official website.

"We are by your side and we will do anything to help you," Katerina Karali, president of Social Welfare of the Kifisia Municipality, who is responsible for this action and organizing the initiative, told Anadolu Agency (AA). Karali spent hours and days sorting the items brought by citizens for quake victims.

"The municipality of Kifisia always helps in every call for humanitarian aid when there is a need. I am very moved by the huge response and love of our fellow citizens who flooded our office with things," she said.

Karali said people of all ages rushed to the office to bring food, clothes and many other items, once again proving that solidarity between the two nations still exists.

"Aegean is a sea that connects us, and not separate us," she said.

At least, 35,000 were killed and more than 100,000 others were injured in 10 provinces of Türkiye by Feb. 6 tremors, with over 5,000 deaths in Syria, making it the sixth most deadly natural disaster in this century, behind the 2005 earthquake that killed at least 73,000 in Pakistan.

More than 13 million people have been affected by earthquakes so far.

Despite local and international aid and rescuers pouring into the region, teams have been forced to concede defeat at numerous sites, given the size and severity of the devastation. Miracle rescues that have come days after the disaster, however, keep hopes alive for some still waiting for their loved ones to emerge from the wreckage. 

Greek rescue team lauds ‘warm welcome’ by Turkish quake survivors | Daily Sabah

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