Turkey Earthquake Rescue Ends... "US Provides Additional 130 Billion Won Support"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The authorities' rescue operations following the earthquake that struck T?rkiye and Syria have effectively come to an end. On the 14th day since the earthquake, most rescue efforts in the affected areas have ceased, with no reports of survivors since the previous day, and the total death toll remains around 46,000. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited T?rkiye for the first time since taking office to express solidarity over the disaster.

According to the Associated Press and other sources on the 19th (local time), Yunus Sezer, head of T?rkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), announced that the death toll in T?rkiye from the earthquake reached 40,689 as of that day. This is an increase of 47 from the previous day's 40,642. The death toll reported by the Syrian government and opposition forces has remained at 5,814 for several days. Accordingly, the combined death toll for T?rkiye and Syria stands at 46,503.

The United Nations stated that due to the ongoing civil war in Syria for over a decade, cooperation between the government and opposition forces in relief efforts has not been achieved, and thus it will take more time to accurately count the death toll in Syrian regions.

Sezer said that rescue operations have ended in 9 out of the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake in T?rkiye. Rescue efforts continue only in two provinces: Kahramanmara?, the epicenter, and Hatay, the most severely affected area. Sezer stated, "We will continue rescue operations here with the hope of saving living brothers and sisters."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Since the initial two earthquakes on the 6th, a total of 6,040 aftershocks have occurred across the 11 provinces. Orhan Tatar, AFAD Secretary General, reported that among these aftershocks, there were 40 earthquakes with magnitudes between 5 and 6, including one with a magnitude of 6.6.

Approximately 1.2 million people have evacuated from the affected areas in southeastern T?rkiye, and currently, over 1 million residents are living in temporary shelters in the disaster zones.

According to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization of T?rkiye, 105,794 buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged to the extent that demolition is necessary. Among these, 20,662 buildings have completely collapsed. The Ministry explained that most of the damaged buildings are residential.

Secretary General Tatar urged, "Do not enter damaged buildings under any circumstances and keep a safe distance." He also added that special caution is needed due to the possibility of landslides and falling rocks. Fortunately, these damage assessments are limited to T?rkiye, as there is no accurate data available for Syria.

The previous day, three family members?a couple in their 40s and a teenage boy?were rescued from a collapsed building in Antakya, Hatay, 296 hours after the earthquake, marking the last known rescue. However, the 12-year-old boy among them later passed away in the hospital.

The United States announced an additional $100 million (approximately 130 billion KRW) in aid for T?rkiye and Syria, which suffered severe damage from the earthquake. This brings the total U.S. assistance to $185 million, including the previously announced $85 million. The funds will be used for essential supplies such as medicines and drinking water, medical services, and children's education programs.

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken arrived at Incirlik Air Base in Adana, Turkey, on the 19th (local time) to assist with relief efforts.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

The U.S. Department of State announced this additional humanitarian aid policy to coincide with Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit. Blinken visited Incirlik Air Base near the earthquake-affected areas in Adana, T?rkiye, for the first time in over two years since taking office. Incirlik Air Base has been used by the U.S. and other countries to send relief supplies and rescue teams.

Blinken encouraged the U.S. relief teams deployed there and reviewed the relief efforts, stating, "I want to let the people of T?rkiye know that the United States stands with them and will continue to stand with T?rkiye until they overcome the earthquake." He also explained the additional U.S. support and said that in talks scheduled with Turkish officials in Ankara, they would discuss what further assistance T?rkiye needs.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United States has been focusing on strengthening relations with T?rkiye, a NATO ally and strategic key point, and is actively participating in supporting earthquake relief efforts.