Countries Worldwide Reach Out to Aid Earthquake Victims
Russia and Ukraine Also Pledge Active Support
International support commitments for T?rkiye and Syria are pouring in following the powerful earthquake that struck on the 6th (local time). Leaders from many countries and international organizations, including the United States, have expressed condolences over the large-scale loss of life and pledged humanitarian aid.
The United States was the first to issue a statement expressing condolences. The White House stated, "We are ready to provide all necessary support," adding, "The U.S. government is working closely with NATO ally T?rkiye." It further noted, "We will deploy personnel to assist with search and rescue operations in T?rkiye and to help the injured and displaced."
Citizens of Berlin, Germany, loading relief supplies onto trucks for earthquake victims in Turkiye and Syria. Photo by AP·DPA Yonhap News
In addition to the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada, Israel, Russia, China, the United Nations, the European Union (EU), NATO, and the Arab League (AL) have extended helping hands to T?rkiye and Syria.
The United Kingdom has dispatched search and rescue experts to begin operations, while France and Spain have also decided to send rescue teams. The European Union (EU) has deployed an emergency relief team to the affected areas. Janez Lenar?i?, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, tweeted, "The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated following the earthquake in T?rkiye." According to the EU, more than ten countries, including Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania, are providing search and rescue teams.
NATO has also decided to send an emergency support team. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, "I am in contact with President Erdo?an of T?rkiye, and NATO allies are discussing support," while NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu stated, "Allies are expressing solidarity and mobilizing support."
On the 6th (local time), workers at Zurich Airport in Switzerland are loading relief supplies from the humanitarian organization 'Swiss Humanitarian Aid (SHA)' onto an aircraft. [Photo by EPA Yonhap News]
Even countries with strained relations with T?rkiye are extending aid. Sweden and Finland, which have had tensions with T?rkiye over NATO membership issues, have expressed their willingness to assist. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson tweeted, "As a partner of T?rkiye and the EU presidency, we are ready to provide support." Greece, which has been a long-standing rival of T?rkiye in the Aegean Sea for decades, also announced its intention to help. Greece has previously provided aid when T?rkiye experienced earthquakes.
Israel, one of the neighboring countries where tremors were felt due to the T?rkiye earthquake, immediately promised support, and Germany, home to 1.5 million Turkish residents, also pledged assistance.
Russia and Ukraine, despite being at war, are also participating in relief efforts. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with the presidents of T?rkiye and Syria and promised support, while Ukraine stated, "We are ready to send a large rescue team to T?rkiye." There is even speculation that rescue teams from both countries might meet in T?rkiye.
Meanwhile, President Erdo?an said in a televised address after the earthquake, "About 45 countries have offered support." T?rkiye's Interior Minister S?leyman Soylu announced on the 6th (local time) that rescue teams and supply planes were being dispatched to 10 affected areas, while issuing the highest level 4 alert and requesting international assistance, to which the global community responded swiftly.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
