Earthquakes: The world unites in aid to Turkey, Syria

Sopuruchi Onwuka, with agency reports

Nearly 3500 people have been confirmed dead and tens of thousands of others reported with severe injuries in the neighbouring countries of Turkey and Syria after series of 6.0, 7.5 and 7.8 magnitude earthquakes came along with dozens to wreak havoc in the region within the last 24 hours.

In Turkey, at least 1,762 people were killed and 12,068 injured, with 3,471 buildings collapsed, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority. In Syria, the total death toll within the affected areas as well as in Syria’s rebel-held areas rose to at least 1,350, with another 3,411 injured, according to authorities.

According the U.S. Geological Survey, the tends of earthquakes and accompanying tremors included four magnitude 6 or stronger earthquake, two magnitude 7.5 quakes and one magnitude 7.8 quake.

Authorities continued to upgrade the number of dead and surviving victims as teams of global aid and rescue teams searched though the rubbles of collapsed houses and infrastructure in Turkey and northern Syria. Rescue agencies said that the quake toll is expected to rise on both sides of the border.

The Volunteer rescue group, White Helmets, said that death toll ‘may increase every minute’

The first quake was Turkey’s largest disaster since 1939, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The first powerful quake rattled the region early Momday morning and sent shock waves through Middle East and North Africa. Authorities said the tremors were felt as far away as Cairo, Cyprus, Lebanon and even in Greenland and Denmark.

The White Helmets stated the number of completely collapsed buildings in Syria has risen to more than 200, with more than 420 partially collapsed. Thousands more buildings in northwestern Syria have sustained cracks, the group stated.

The United Nations has immediately risen to the occasion, declaring that it ‘stands ready to support emergency response efforts’

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres offered “heartfelt condolences” to families of the earthquake victims Monday and said the U.N. is prepared to assist. And the UN statement rattled gong for the world governments to start pushing search and rescue teams, paramedics and a satellite to help the rescue effort.

Condolences and offers for assistance poured in from countries including the United States, Germany, France, and Greece. Even Ukraine and Russia which are at war have also pledged rescue assistance.

Despite its own internal survival war, Ukraine declared that it stands ready to send a large group of rescue workers to Türkiye to assist crisis response.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered his country’s support to Turkey .

“I express my sincere condolences to the President @RTErdogan, to the people and families of the victims of the earthquake in the southeast,” Zelenskyy said in a tweet early Monday.

“I wish a speedy recovery to all the victims. In this difficult time, we will be close to the (Turkish) people.”

“Ready to provide the necessary assistance to overcome the consequences of the disaster,” he said.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, reiterated Zelenskyy’s support, writing: “Ukraine stands ready to send a large group of rescue workers to Türkiye to assist crisis response. We are working closely with the Turkish side to coordinate their deployment.”

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said 45 countries had offered to help with search and rescue operations.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet he was “anguished” by the loss of life and immediately offered assistance.

Similar offers of condolence and assistance were made by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Turkeys defence allies, NATO, have also expressed condolence and declared technical and sundry assistance to member country.

“Full solidarity with our Ally #Türkiye in the aftermath of this terrible earthquake. I am in touch with President @RTErdogan and Foreign Minister @MevlutCavusoglu, and #NATO Allies are mobilizing support now,” NATO tweeted.

European Union Commission spokesperson Balazs Ujvari said Monday that the commission was mobilizing more than 10 search-and-rescue teams from several member states — including from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania — to assist in Turkey.

Hungary, Italy, Spain, Malta and Slovakia have also offered support, Ujvari said.

The E.U. has also activated its Copernicus satellite system “to provide emergency mapping services to the Turkish authorities,” Ujvari said at a news conference.

“We of course remain in touch with the Turkish authorities and we will coordinate further support as needed,” Ujvari told reporters.

Israel and Ukraine are also among the E.U. member states sending rescue teams and medical aid to Turkey. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, told reporters that Israel was also sending help to Syria.

The U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said it is sending 76 search and rescue specialists to Turkey, along with search dogs, rescue equipment and an emergency medical team.

The FCDO said the country is also in touch with the U.N. regarding providing emergency aid to Syria where the country’s White Helmets are currently leading search and rescue response.

India and Japan are also sending search and rescue teams to Turkey.

President Joe Biden said the U.S. would ‘provide any and all needed assistance.’

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria,” Biden tweeted. “I have directed my team to continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Turkiye and provide any and all needed assistance,” Biden stated.

While the powerful countries of the world deploy expertise and technology in rescue efforts in Turkey, Pope Francis covers the emergency personnel in prayers.

Pope Francis had earlier offered condolences Monday, saying he was “deeply saddened to learn of the huge loss of life” after back-to-back earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

In a statement from the Vatican shared on Telegram, the pope extended “heartfelt condolences” to those in mourning. He added that he prayed that emergency personnel would be “sustained in their care of the injured and in the ongoing relief efforts by the divine gifts of fortitude and perseverance.”

His message joins a chorus of condolences and offers of assistance from leaders worldwide.

On the downside of the disaster, UNICEF declared on Monday that thousands of children in Turkey and Syria are at risk for poor health and educational outcomes and displacement, among other challenges, following the devastation of the earthquakes.

Executive Director, Catherine Russell, said: “That the initial earthquake happened so early in the morning, when many children were fast asleep, made it even more dangerous, and the aftershocks bring continuing risks.”

“Our hearts and thoughts are with the children and families affected, especially those who have lost loved ones or who have been injured. Our immediate priority is to ensure children and families affected receive the support they so desperately need,” Russell said.

Meanwhile, the Turkish authorities declared that nuclear security of the NATO country is not at risk.

So far, there have been no issues related to the country’s radiological safety or the security of its radioactive sources, officials from Turkey’s nuclear regulatory authority reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Turkey’s nuclear power plant, which is under construction, has not been affected by the earthquakes.

Vice President of Turkey Fuat Oktay said “All dams in the region were inspected very quickly by the State Hydraulic Works.”

“There were some superficial cracks in some dams, but we saw there were no structural risks. This inspection is continuing in a very serious way. If there is any issue, we are ready to intervene immediately. We are inspecting all dams in the region.”

Turkish defense minister, Hulusi Akar, said 3,500 personnel participating in search and rescue efforts in the country, along with 17 planes that have already taken 73 flights to provide aid.

More than two dozen mobile field kitchens, and 15 bathroom and toilet containers, have been shipped to the earthquake zones, Akar added.

President Erdogan has announced that Turkey would observe seven days of national mourning.

“Our flag will be hoisted at half-mast until sunset on Sunday, February 12, 2023, in all our country and foreign representations,” a translated portion of Erdogan’s tweet said.

Diplomats from the 193 member countries attending a meeting of the United Nations stood in silent tribute Monday to victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi extended “our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences” to the government and people of both countries.

In Syria, the Ministry of Education said that all kindergarten, public, private, Sharia and vocational schools would be suspended for the rest of the week. The Minister took the decision after examining the condition of schools and the impact of the earthquake on citizens.

Voluntary organizations including the Red Cross, UNICEF, Save the Children and other aid groups have put out requests for aid as they send teams to help victims in Turkey and Syria after powerful earthquakes and aftershocks struck the region.

Turkish Red Crescent teams, part of the Red Cross network in the Middle East, deployed about 900 people to provide hot meals, medical support and psychological aid to families, the group said. They had also sent blood and plasma and put out a call across Turkey for blood donations.

Syrian Red Crescent teams said they had also responded since the early morning hours to provide life-saving first aid and help with medical evacuations.

The groups said there was a need for tents, heaters, warm clothing, food and basic first aid.

The International Blue Crescent, another relief group, said it was screening through social media calls for rescues from those trapped in collapsed buildings and sending help.

The World Health Organization said it was also scrambling medical teams to render essential health care for the many who were injured in the quakes.

UNICEF and Save the Children’s teams said they were focused on kids in both countries who may be trapped, separated from families or were left cold and hungry. In the near term, the groups said they were concerned about child protection, accessing clean drinking water and nutrition.

They also noted that the earthquakes will cause schools to remain closed for an indefinite period, so education will also be a growing worry for families.