The earthquake that hit southern Turkey and northwestern Syria on 6 February has left more than 33,000 dead. The number is expected to rise, with rescue efforts still continuing amid the rubble of cities and villages in both countries.
The following countries, among others, have offered support and aid:
Saudi Arabia: A Saudi campaign called “Participate” launched following the earthquake to help victims in both countries has managed to collect $81 million so far.
Kuwait: The official campaign “Beside You” announced on Saturday has collected $42.6 million that will be directed to earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey.
UAE: President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has ordered $50 million to be sent to earthquake victims in Syria and another $50 million to be sent to Turkey. The UAE has announced humanitarian aid to a value of 50 million dirhams for Syria’s hardest-hit areas. It has set up a field hospital in Turkey and dispatched search and rescue teams to Turkey and Syria.
Qatar: Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has donated 50 million Qatari riyals to earthquake-affected people in Turkey and Syria. Qatar provided initial aid represented by an air bridge equipped with relief and health materials and a rescue team, as well as 10,000 mobile homes and tons of aid that arrived at the Turkish airport of Adana.
Egypt: Egypt has sent five military planes carrying emergency medical aid to Turkey and Syria to contribute to the relief efforts. The Egyptian Red Crescent has launched a donation campaign for Syria.
Jordan: Jordan has sent three planes carrying rescue and medical teams, in addition to relief to Syria and Turkey. A convoy carrying food supplies and medical equipment reached Syria on Friday.
Libya: The Libyan Government of National Unity sent tons of aid containing medicines and foodstuffs to both Syria and Turkey on Saturday. It confirmed the launching of air-bridge flights to help the Syrian and Turkish peoples. The aid includes tents, blankets, heaters and foodstuffs.
Oman: Oman has announced the establishment of an air bridge for relief materials as well as search and rescue personnel to be sent to Syria and Turkey.
Iraq: Iraqi military planes have been sent to Syria carrying humanitarian aid, including 60 tons of foodstuffs and relief and medical supplies, as well as shelters and first aid and other items.
Lebanon: Lebanon’s government has sent soldiers, Red Cross and civil defence workers and firefighters to support rescue efforts in the two countries. On Sunday, Lebanon’s powerful Shia movement Hizbullah, a key ally of the Syrian Al-Assad regime, sent a convoy of 23 trucks carrying food and medical aid to the Syrian province of Latakia.
US: The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has pledged the sum of $85 million in life-saving relief for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. The funding will go towards shelter, cold-weather supplies, food, water and healthcare. USAID said it is also providing hygiene and sanitation assistance. A Disaster Assistance Response Team was also dispatched to Turkey, according to the White House.
UK: The UK has sent 77 search and rescue specialists with rescue equipment and dogs, as well as an emergency medical team, to Turkey. Britain has also been in contact with the UN about getting support to victims in Syria.
Canada: Canada has pledged to offer $7.4 million in immediate assistance to Turkey and Syria and offered to match an additional $7.4 million in donations.
Australia: Australia has announced the sum of $7 million for the earthquake victims and deployed a search and rescue team to Turkey.
EU: Twenty EU states together with Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia have pledged 31 search and rescue teams and five medical teams. Brussels said it is ready to offer help to Syria through its humanitarian assistance programmes. Next month, the EU will host a donor conference to mobilise international aid for Syria and Turkey.
Sweden: Sweden announced the sum of $650,000 to Turkey and Syria through the Red Cross Committee and the Red Crescent Organisation.
France: Rescue teams comprising 71 rescue workers and 65 firefighters have been sent to Turkey. France has also provided a high-capacity field hospital and 50,000 diphtheria and tetanus vaccines. It has pledged to transfer up to 12 million Euros to different UN agencies and non-governmental groups to buy humanitarian aid.
Germany: The German government has temporarily eased visa restrictions for survivors of the earthquake who have close family ties to Germany if they are facing homelessness or are injured. “Regular visas will be issued for them and will be valid for three months,” said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on Saturday. Following the quake, Germany sent dozens of doctors and rescue experts to Turkey. It also sent emergency generators, tents, and blankets to the afflicted areas.
Italy: A 30-ton shipment of humanitarian aid from the Italian government, including four ambulances and 13 pallets of medical equipment, landed in Beirut on Saturday en route for Damascus.
The Roman Catholic Church: The Italian Roman Catholic Church has allocated 500,000 Euros to relief efforts.
Spain: Spain has sent troops, medical personnel, and dogs, as well as equipment, to help in the search and rescue efforts in Syria and Turkey.
Austria: Austria has pledged the sum of 3 million Euros in aid. It has dispatched 84 soldiers from a military disaster relief unit to Turkey, as well as doctors, firefighters and dogs.
Greece: Greece has sent 160 trucks of humanitarian aid to Turkey and Syria. It has also begun a countrywide drive to collect relief goods for earthquake victims.
New Zealand: New Zealand has pledged $632,000 dollars to the Turkish Red Crescent and $316,000 dollars to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to deliver items such as food, tents, and blankets as well as medical assistance.
Armenia: A border gate between Turkey and Armenia has been opened for the first time in 35 years to allow in aid for victims. Armenian five truckloads of 100 tons including food and medicine crossed the narrow bridge between Magara, in Armenia, and the neighbouring village of Alican.
Russia: The Russian Emergency Ministry has announced that more than 50 of its personnel have flown to Syria to help in the search and rescue process. It noted that 300 personnel of the Russian military deployed in Syria have helped in clearing debris and searching for survivors.
China: China has announced sending urgent humanitarian aid to a value of 30 million Yuan to Syria, in addition to shipping 220 tons of wheat. A shipment of medical supplies was sent to Damascus on 9 February through the Chinese Red Cross. China also sent a 82-member rescue team to the Turkish city of Adana on 8 February, with 20 tons of supplies and equipment.
South Korea: South Korea deployed a 60-person search and rescue team to Turkey and is providing medical supplies. The government said it is providing an initial $5 million in humanitarian support.
Japan: Japan has sent 73 rescue personnel to Turkey with equipment such as life detectors, drills, portable generators, medical kits and food.
Pakistan: Pakistan said it has sent two C-130 planes with relief supplies and 36 search and rescue personnel and promised daily aid flights to Syria and Turkey. The government has formed a relief fund to help the victims of the earthquake, calling upon people to offer donations. An anonymous Pakistani businessman residing in the US has donated $30 million to the victims in both countries.
India: India has launched Operation Dost to extend humanitarian aid to Turkey. It has sent three search and rescue teams from its National Disaster Response Force as well as specially trained dogs and a field hospital. Medical teams with trained doctors, paramedics, and essential medicines have headed to the region.
Indonesia: Indonesia has sent search and rescue specialists to Turkey to assist in the relief efforts. It has pledged to send 140 tons of food and logistical aid aboard four aircrafts — two for each country, as well as cash aid of about $1 million for Turkey and another $1 million for Syria.
Iran: An Iranian plane delivered aid to Damascus Airport following the earthquake.
Compiled by Mona El-Nahhas
* A version of this article appears in print in the 16 February, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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