Egyptian officials in front of Egyptian Navy ENS Halayeb that carries hundreds of humanitarian aid to Syria and Turkey. Photo : Egyptian Armed Forces
The Egyptian army also announced on Thursday that two military cargo planes took off for Turkey carrying large quantities of humanitarian aid.
Officials from both Turkey and Syria expressed appreciation for the efforts exerted by Egypt to help them overcome the devastating effects of the deadly quake that has left thousands dead and wounded.
“The hand of brotherhood extends today from Egypt to Turkey; we will always remember this brotherly attitude in difficult days,” Turkish charge d’affaires in Cairo Ambassador Salih Mutlu tweeted on his official Twitter account on Thursday.
The Egyptian supplies were provided by the ministries of defence and social solidarity, Al-Azhar, the Red Crescent Society, and the Long Live Egypt Fund, the Egyptian military spokesman said in a statement.
Over 46,000 people have died due to the powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck northwest Syria and southern Turkey on 6 February, making the quake one of the deadliest this century.
Countries and organisation from across the globe have been providing human aid, with over 140 aid trucks entering Syria as of Friday, according to the UN.
On Monday, an Egyptian naval supply ship arrived at the Port of Latakia, Syria to deliver hundreds of tons of relief aid.
In the immediate aftermath of the quake, Egypt sent five military planes – two to Turkey and three to Syria – carrying large quantities of medical aid the day after the disaster.
Egypt also sent a rescue team of medical specialists and rescue technicians alongside the medical aid to Syria
The Egyptian Red Crescent also launched a donation campaign for Syria’s earthquake victims.
Additionally, Egypt’s Tahya Masr designated on Wednesday a bank account at all state-owned banks to receive donations from inside and outside Egypt to send basic goods and pharmaceutical supplies to the victims.
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