Day: February 7, 2023

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Abdallah Bou Habib, on Tuesday met with UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon and UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs, Imran Reda, in the presence of heads of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNICEF (UNICEF), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and a representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Lebanon.

The meeting reportedly touched on the “extent of the destruction and the heavy losses that befell Syria as a result of the devastating earthquake, and the need for the international community to swiftly help relieve those afflicted and alleviate the impact of the disaster.”

In this context, views were exchanged on the best ways to coordinate and cooperate to help those affected in Syrian regions.

Minister Bou Habib also affirmed Lebanon’s readiness to provide assistance to facilitate the work of international organizations, and the passage of relief convoys, in a way that alleviates the sufferings of the wounded, injured, and afflicted in Syria. He also expressed hope that this would secure the much-needed supplies to limit the repercussions of the devastating earthquake on the stricken Syrian regions and their inhabitants.

Both parties also agreed to keep the lines of communication open to keep pace with the processes of providing the necessary aid and support to those affected by the earthquake.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rahi is currently meeting with a delegation of the “Strong Republic” parliamentary bloc, chaired by MP Strida Geagea.

The delegation comprises lawmakers Toni Habshi, Jihad Pakradouni, Elie Khoury, Razi Hajj, Said Asmar and Elias Estfan, alongside former MPs Eddy Abi Lamaa and Joseph Ishak.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Baghdad, The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, said that some media outlets do not convey the true picture of the situation in Iraq and do not focus on the achievements.

A presidential statement stated: “The President met today, His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Patriarch of the Syriac Catholics of Antioch, and a number of bishops and fathers from Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, in the presence of Minister of Immigration and Displacement Evan Faeq Jabro and Member of Parliament Duraid Jamil Yashua.”

The President of the Republic emphasized the security and stability in Iraq, pointing out that the country suffered from wars and terrorist crimes that affected everyone, pointing out that terrorism did not differentiate between any of the citizens, whether Christians or Muslims or from the rest of the spectrum.

He added that the Christians of the East are the original inhabitants of the region along with the rest of the social components, and that the division was made by the enemies of humanity, stressing that the people of all spectrums and components are the people of this country and they are united by the goal of serving society and achieving security and stability for our generations, and it is necessary to provide a safe and stable environment for future generations without conflicts and wars.

Addressing the members of the delegation, he said that your visit to Iraq is a good initiative and establishes an impression for everyone that society is one and there is no difference between one citizen and another, alluding to the stability that Baghdad and the rest of the provinces are witnessing, as he stressed the need to pay attention to the provinces, noting that some media outlets do not convey the true picture of the situation in Iraq, they do not focus on the achievements, as terrorist incidents are rare and occur in many countries.

Rashid pointed out that the region needs security and stability, and the outstanding problems must be resolved through dialogue and convergence, noting that the existing problems are not insurmountable and can be solved, because everyone needs security, stability and peace.

For their part, the members of the delegation expressed their appreciation to the President for the warm reception and his wise guidance and support for protecting diversity and social peace among all Iraqis, and they thanked him for his visit to Nineveh Governorate, visiting the churches there and attending the Mass, stressing that that visit had a great impact on the hearts of Christians and all Iraqis.

The members of the delegation affirmed their belief in citizenship and respect for the diversity that Iraqi society and the entire region abound in, support for living in peace and love, and work for their survival in their homeland.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Structural engineers, soldiers, paramedics and handlers with trained search dogs are heading to Turkey and Syria to help locate and rescue survivors of Monday’s earthquake. Here’s a glance at the assistance that’s being provided:

The European Union has mobilized search and rescue teams to help Turkey, while the bloc’s Copernicus satellite system has been activated to provide emergency mapping services. At least 13 member countries have offered assistance.

The United States is coordinating immediate assistance to Turkey, including teams to support search and rescue efforts. In California, nearly 100 Los Angeles County firefighters and structural engineers, along with six specially trained dogs, were being sent to Turkey.

Russian rescue teams from the Emergencies Ministry were sent to Syria, where Russian military deployed in that country already has sent 10 units comprising 300 people to help clear debris and search for survivors. The Russian military has set up points to distribute humanitarian assistance. Russia also has offered help to Turkey, which has been accepted.

War-ravaged Syria called for the United Nations and its members to help with rescue efforts, health services, shelter and food aid. Both government-held territory and the last opposition-held enclave were damaged by the earthquake.

The Israeli army is sending a search and rescue team of 150 engineers, medical personnel and other aid workers to render lifesaving aid in Turkey. The two countries are mending ties after years of tensions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has also approved a request for humanitarian aid for Syria. Israel and Syria do not have diplomatic relations.

Neighbor and historic rival Greece is sending Turkey a team of 21 rescuers, two rescue dogs and a special rescue vehicle, together with a structural engineer, five doctors and seismic planning experts in a military transport plane.

South Korea will dispatch a 60-person search and rescue team and send medical supplies to Turkey. The government also says it is providing an initial $5 million in humanitarian support, and the Gyeonggi provincial government plans to provide $1 million in humanitarian assistance.

Pakistan has sent one flight of relief supplies and another carrying a 50-member search and rescue team. The government says daily aid flights to Syria and Turkey will start Wednesday.

Britain is sending 76 search-and-rescue specialists with equipment and dogs, as well as an emergency medical team, to Turkey. The U.K. also says it’s in contact with the U.N. about getting support to victims in Syria.

India is sending 100 search and rescue personnel from its Natural Disaster Response Force to Turkey, as well as specially trained dog squads and equipment for relief efforts. Medical teams with trained doctors, paramedics and essential medicines are also ready, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Taiwan is sending 130 rescue squad members, five search dogs and 13 tons of equipment to Turkey. Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang said the first group left for Turkey late Monday and another was sent Tuesday. Taiwan earlier said it would donate $200,000 to Turkey.

Swiss rescue dog service REDOG is sending 22 rescuers with 14 dogs to Turkey. The government said it would also send 80 search and rescue specialists to the country, including army disaster experts.

The Czech Republic is sending Turkey a team of 68 rescuers, including firefighters, doctors, structural engineers and also experts with sniffer dogs.

Japan is sending a group of about 75 rescue workers to Turkey.

Lebanon’s cash-strapped government is sending soldiers, Red Cross and Civil Defense first responders, and firefighters to Turkey to help with its rescue efforts.

Germany is readying deliveries of emergency generators, tents, blankets and water treatment equipment. It also has offered to send teams from the THW civil protection agency to Turkey. The group International Search and Rescue Germany was also preparing to fly dozens of doctors and rescue experts to Turkey late Monday.

Austria has offered to send 84 soldiers from a military disaster relief unit to Turkey.

Spain was preparing to send two Urban Search and Rescue teams to Turkey with 85 personnel, and a contingent of volunteer firefighters.

Poland is sending Turkey 76 firefighters and eight trained dogs, with equipment.

Romania is sending specialized personnel and material to Turkey on two military aircraft. Croatia is sending 40 personnel and 10 dogs, rescue equipment and vans to Turkey.

Serbia is sending 21 rescuers and three liaison officers to Turkey.

Montenegro is sending at least 24 firefighters to Turkey.

Moldova’s president says 55 rescue workers have been sent to Turkey.

France is dispatching rescue teams to Turkey.

Jordan is sending emergency aid to Syria and Turkey on the orders of King Abdullah II.

Mexico’s foreign affairs secretary said the country will send equipment and rescue specialists to Turkey.

Egypt has pledged urgent humanitarian aid to Turkey.

Italy’s Civil Protection Agency has offered assistance to Turkey. A firefighting team was preparing to leave from Pisa, and the Italian military says transport flights will carry equipment as well as health and other personnel.

New Zealand is providing $632,000 to the Turkish Red Crescent and $316,000 to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to deliver items such as food, tents and blankets, as well as provide medical assistance and psychological support.

China’s Red Cross Society is providing the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Red Crescent with $200,000 each in humanitarian assistance.

Source: Voice of America

Ankara [Turkey], Turkey has declared seven days of national mourning after earthquakes jolted southern provinces of the country. At least 1,541 people were killed and 9733 others were injured when two earthquakes hit southern provinces of Turkey on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported citing Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay.

An earthquake of magnitude 7.7, centered in the Pazarcik district, jolted Kahramanmaras and hit several provinces, including Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis, as per the Anadolu Agency report.

Later, an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 centered in Kahramanmaras’s Elbistan district jolted the region. Fuat Oktay said that earthquakes had a total of 145 aftershocks and 3,741 buildings collapsed, as per the news report. The earthquake was also felt in several neighboring countries, including Lebanon and Syria.

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said that nearly 9700 search and rescue personnel have been working in the region, as per the news report. According to AFAD, there is no tsunami threat to the Eastern Mediterranean coasts in Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey was shaken by the “biggest disaster” since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake. Erdogan spoke to the mayors of Adana, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis on the phone and was informed about search and rescue efforts, according to the Turkish presidency, as per the Anadolu Agency report.

Turkey’s National Education Minister Mahmut Ozer said education in Turkey is suspended until February 13. Meanwhile, Turkey’s Youth and Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoglu said all national sports events in the country have been suspended until further notice, according to an Anadolu Agency report.

AFAD in a statement said that Turkey issued a level 4 alarm, which includes a call for international aid. AFAD said that international assistance was called for through the Emergency Response Coordination Center (ERCC) after a discussion with the Turkish Foreign Ministry, as per the news report.

The death toll in Syria due to the earthquake has reached 237 deaths and 639 injured, mostly in Lattakia, Aleppo, Hama, and Tartous, SANA reported. As per the news report, Syria has called on United Nations member states and other international organizations to help support the efforts made by the Syrian government to face the effects of the earthquake that jolted the nation.

Source: Big News Network

New York [US], United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday said that he was “deeply saddened” to hear about the extensive loss of life caused by the earthquake which impacted southern Turkey and northern Syria.

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the extensive loss of life caused by the earthquake which affected southern Turkiye and northern Syria earlier today,” Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

Guterres said that more than 1500 people have been reportedly killed and many others have been injured and the toll continues to rise as rescue efforts continue. He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

“My heart goes out to the people of Turkiye and Syria in this hour of tragedy. I send my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Guterres said.

Antonio Guterres said that United Nations is fully committed to supporting the response after the earthquake. He said that UN teams on the ground were assessing the needs and providing assistance. He stressed that the UN counts on the international community to help the thousands of families affected by this disaster, many of whom are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

At least 1,541 people were killed and 9733 others were injured when two earthquakes hit southern provinces of Turkey on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported citing Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay.

An earthquake of magnitude 7.7, centered in the Pazarcik district, jolted Kahramanmaras and hit several provinces, including Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis, as per the Anadolu Agency report.

Later, an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 centered in Kahramanmaras’s Elbistan district jolted the region. Fuat Oktay said that earthquakes had a total of 145 aftershocks and 3,741 buildings collapsed, as per the news report. The earthquake was also felt in several neighboring countries, including Lebanon and Syria.

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said that nearly 9700 search and rescue personnel have been working in the region, as per the Anadolu Agency report. According to AFAD, there is no tsunami threat to the Eastern Mediterranean coasts in Turkey.

The death toll in Syria due to the earthquake has reached 237 deaths and 639 injured, mostly in Lattakia, Aleppo, Hama, and Tartous, SANA reported. As per the news report, Syria has called on United Nations member states and other international organizations to help support the efforts made by the Syrian government to face the effects of the earthquake that jolted the nation.

Source: Big News Network

Washington [US], The United States has expressed “deepest condolences” to the people of Turkey and Syria following the earthquakes that jolted the two nations on Monday, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.

Addressing a press briefing on February 6, Price said that an initial assistance response is underway and US will send two rescue and recovery teams to Turkey.

“We express our deepest condolences to the people of Turkey and Syria following the devastating earthquakes. Department of State is in close contact with our Turkish allies and our humanitarian partners and our initial assistance response is already underway. We are determined to provide any and all assistance to help those affected by these earthquakes,” Ned Price said.

Price added, “Two rescue and recovery teams constituting 78 individuals will be travelling to Turkey. We are looking at additional funding resources that we have available for both sides. We are going to remain committed to doing what we can do for our Turkish allies and people of Syria.” He said that rescue and recovery teams will be dispatched to Turkey, who will work along with Turkish allies in the rescue and recovery effort.

Ned Price said that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. He said that Blinken expressed condolences for the loss of lives after earthquakes. According to Price, Blinken assured Cavusoglu that Turkey should call the US if they need anything and they are ready as an ally to help Turkey.

Price said that the US hopes that the rescue and recovery effort is able to pull people from the rubble and save as many lives as possible. He said that Blinken directed his team to see what funding might be available to help Turkey, NGO partners, and Syria. He said that they have not yet confirmed the deaths of Americans in the earthquakes that jolted Turkey and Syria.

“As of earlier today, we have not yet confirmed the deaths of Americans, but I think we’re all realistic,” Ned Price said.

“We are all very sober about the implications of this and the fact that many countries, many nationalities are likely to be implicated just given the massive toll and destruction that this earthquake has cost,” he added.

The death toll across Turkey and Syria has risen to 3090 after earthquakes on Monday. The total number of injured in Syria and Turkey has reached 15,914 following earthquakes.

At least 2,379 people were killed and 14,483 others injured in Turkey after earthquakes jolted the southern part of the country on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported. Syrian Ministry of Health said that the death toll from the earthquake has risen to 711 and 1431 others have been injured in Syria, SANA reported.

On Monday, an earthquake of magnitude 7.7 centered in the Pazarcik district jolted Kahramanmaras and hit several provinces, including Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis, as per the Anadolu Agency report.

Later in the day, an earthquake of 7.6 magnitude centered in Kahramanmaras’s Elbistan district jolted the region. The earthquake was also felt in several neighboring countries, including Lebanon and Syria.

Source: Big News Network

Ankara [Turkey], The death toll in Turkey and Syria has reached more than 3,800 after earthquakes jolted the two nations on Monday. The total number of injured in Syria and Turkey has reached 15,914 following earthquakes.

At least 2,379 people were killed and 14,483 others injured in Turkey after earthquakes jolted the southern part of the country on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported.

Syrian Ministry of Health said that the death toll from the earthquake has risen to 711 and 1431 others have been injured in Syria, including in Lattakia, Aleppo, Hama and Tartus, SANA reported.

Meanwhile, Syrian Civil Defense, known as the “White Helmets,” said there were 740 deaths in regions controlled by the opposition, CNN reported.

On Monday, an earthquake of magnitude 7.7 centered in the Pazarcik district jolted Kahramanmaras and hit several provinces, including Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis, as per the Anadolu Agency report.

Later in the day, an earthquake of 7.6 magnitude centered in Kahramanmaras’s Elbistan district jolted the region. The earthquake was also felt in several neighboring countries, including Lebanon and Syria.

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said that 7,840 people have been rescued from the rubble as 11,022 search and rescue teams were working in the region. He said that 338,000 earthquake victims have been kept in dormitories, universities and shelters.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkey will observe seven days of national mourning after earthquakes hit several southern provinces.

Erdogan in a tweet stated, “Due to the earthquakes that took place in our country on Feb. 6, a national mourning period was declared for seven days. Our flag will be hoisted at half-mast until sunset on Sunday, Feb. 12, in all our country and foreign representations.”Erdogan said that Turkey was shaken by the “biggest disaster” with the earthquake since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake. Speaking at the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) office in Ankara, he said that Turkey has taken action with all its institutions and all resources have been mobilized, Anadolu Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Syria’s Deputy Minister of Health Ahmed Damiriya said that four truckloads of medicines and surgical and emergency supplies were sent to Aleppo, Lattakia, and Hama in addition to sending medical convoys, 28 ambulances, and seven mobile clinics to Aleppo and Lattakia, as per the SANA report.

Syria has requested United Nations member states, the General Secretariat of the Organization, its agencies and funds, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and international organizations to help and support the efforts made by the Syrian government in facing the repercussions of the devastating earthquake.

Source: Big News Network

New Delhi [India], India will send two more C-17 Indian Air Force planes to Turkey later this evening with 60 Para Field Hospital and personnel to assist in rescue and relief operations.

According to defence officials, the Agra-based Army Field Hospital has despatched an 89-member medical team.

The medical team comprises critical care specialist teams including Orthopaedic Surgical Team, General Surgical Specialist Team, Medical Specialist Teams apart from other medical teams. The teams are equipped with X-ray machines, ventilators, Oxygen generation plant, Cardiac monitors and associated equipment to establish a 30 bedded medical facility.

Meanwhile, the first batch of aid from India, which took off from the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad early this morning reached Adana in Turkey.

The Indian Air Force tweeted on Tuesday that a C-17, a strategic transport aircraft, left for Turkey “bearing search and rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).”According to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi earlier said India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities were put into action.” The 1st batch of earthquake relief material leaves for Turkiye, along with NDRF SearchRescue Teams, specially trained dog squads, medical supplies, drilling machinesother necessary equipment,” he tweeted.

Under HADR operations for Turkey and Syria, India dispatched the first C17 airborne for Turkey at 03:09 am today while the second C17 took off around 10:00 hrs with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team.

The aircraft is part of a larger relief effort that will be undertaken by the IAF along with other Indian organisations, said the Indian Air Force.

The aid to Syrian has been meanwhile delayed with, a C130 flight for Damascus with medicines only and no personnel, delayed to this afternoon.

As per latest estimates over 4,372 people have been killed and thousands injured after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria early Monday, according to officials and agencies.

Turkey and Syria were hit by three consecutive devastating earthquakes of magnitude 7.8, 7.6 and 6.0 on Monday, reported Washington Post.

Rescuers in both countries are digging with their bare hands through the freezing night hunting for survivors among the rubble of thousands of buildings.

The quake, one of the strongest to hit the region in more than 100 years, struck 23 kilometres (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in Turkey’s Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometres (14.9 miles), the US Geological Survey said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences with the Prime Minister’s Office saying that a meeting was held on Monday in which it was decided that “relief material would be dispatched immediately” in coordination with the Turkish government.

“Two teams of NDRF comprising 100 personnel with specially trained dog squads and necessary equipment are ready to be flown to the earthquake-hit area for search and rescue operations,” the statement said.

“Medical teams are also being readied with trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines. Relief material will be dispatched in coordination with the Government of Turkiye and Indian Embassy in Ankara and Consulate General office in Istanbul,” it added.

India’s Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar also extended his condolences, tweeting Monday night that he had contacted his Syrian counterpart, Faisal Mekdad.

“Expressed solidarity and conveyed our support including through supply of medicines,” he tweeted.

Initially, a magnitude 7.8 quake struck early Monday at 04:17 local time (01:17 GMT) 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in Turkey’s Gaziantep province near the Syrian border, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles), the US Geological Survey said.

This was followed by a 7.5-magnitude quake around 130 kilometres north of Gaziantep, and with epicentre was in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras province in Turkey according to the US Geological Survey. Tremors were also felt in several neighboring countries, including Lebanon and Syria.

The third earthquake of magnitude 6.0 on the Richter scale hit Goksun, Turkey on Monday. The earthquake — felt as far away as Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and Egypt — occurred in Kahramanmaras province, north of Gaziantep, near the Syrian border.

At least 100 aftershocks measuring 4.0 or greater have occurred since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey on Monday morning local time.

As the time from the original earthquake extends, the frequency and magnitude of the aftershocks tend to decrease. However, 5.0 to 6.0-plus aftershocks are still likely to occur and bring a risk of additional damage to structures that are compromised from the original earthquake. This brings a continued threat to rescue teams and survivors, reported CNN.

The aftershocks stretch for more than 300 kilometres (186 miles) along the fault zone that ruptured in southern Turkey, oriented from southwest to northeast and stretching from the border with Syria up through the province of Malatya.

Source: Big News Network

Washington [US], US President Joe Biden on Monday (local time) reaffirmed the readiness of America to provide any and all needed assistance to Turkey to recover from the devastating earthquakes.

In a telephone call to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Biden vowed US assistance to NATO ally Turkey.

“He reaffirmed the readiness of the United States to provide any and all needed assistance to our NATO ally Turkey in response to this tragedy,” the White House said in a statement on Biden’s call with Erdogan.

“President Biden expressed condolences on behalf of the American people to those who were injured or lost loved ones in the earthquakes,” it read.

According to latest estimates, over 4,000 people have been killed due to the deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

At least 4,372 deaths have been confirmed dead according to officials and agencies.

Turkey’s toll rose to 2,921 as of Tuesday morning, according to Yunus Sezer, Turkey’s head of disaster services.

A total of 15,834 injuries have been reported, Sezer said in a news conference in Ankara.

Sezer said he would provide a more comprehensive update at 6 am local time (10 pm ET).

In Syria, 1,451 deaths and 3,531 injuries have been reported by officials, reported CNN.

Biden noted that US teams are deploying quickly to support Turkish search and rescue efforts and coordinate other assistance that may be required by people affected by the earthquakes, including health services or basic relief items, added the readout.

The earthquake — felt as far away as Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and Egypt — occurred in Kahramanmaras province, north of Gaziantep, near the Syrian border.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, and the number of people killed, injured and displaced probably will climb, reported Washington Post.

On Monday, an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 centered in the Pazarcik district jolted Kahramanmaras and hit several provinces, including Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis, as per the Anadolu Agency report.

Later in the day, an earthquake of 7.6 magnitudes centered in Kahramanmaras’s Elbistan district jolted the region. The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring countries, including Lebanon and Syria.

The third earthquake of magnitude 6.0 on the Richter scale hit Goksun, Turkey on Monday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

It is the strongest earthquake to hit Turkey in more than 80 years. Thousands of emergency responders have been searching for people amid the rubble of collapsed buildings, and medical teams have been tending to the injured. The full scale of the damage is still being determined, reported Washington Post.

CNN reported that thousands of buildings collapsed in both countries and aid agencies are particularly worried about northwestern Syria, where more than 4 million people were already relying on humanitarian assistance.

According to Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, who spoke during a news conference carried out live on CNN Turk on Monday evening from Hatay Emergency Coordination Center, the weather and the scale of the disaster are creating challenges for aid teams.

“The weather conditions and the scale of the disaster make it hard for our teams to reach the region,” Koca said, adding “our helicopters could not take off today due to weather conditions.””Heavy snowstorms have also recently hit parts of Syria and Turkey, with further sub-zero temperatures forecasted,” UNICEF said in a statement released on Monday.

All state institutions have been mobilized in the recovery effort, including the national police, municipal workers, the Disaster and Emergency Management Agency and the Gendarmerie, an armed general law enforcement organization part of Interior Ministry that maintains security and safety.

Source: Big News Network