AA / Londres / Aysu Beaker
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Wednesday that it would send teams of experts and charter special flights with medical equipment to Türkiye and Syria, following the earthquakes of devastating land that hit the region earlier this week.
“WHO will send a high-level delegation to coordinate its response as well as three planes loaded with medical equipment,” Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference in Geneva.
“A plane is currently on its way to Istanbul, delivering medical supplies and surgical trauma kits from our logistics hub in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Another flight to Damascus is almost ready to depart and a third is on the way. planning,” he added.
Ghebreyesus said the victims of the two strong quakes need shelter, food, clean water and medical care, along with other health needs.
The global body released $3 million from an emergency fund to support the two countries.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that at least 9,057 people lost their lives and 52,979 others were injured after earthquakes rocked southern Türkiye on Monday.
During a field trip to the quake-hit region to inspect relief and assistance operations, Erdogan said 6,444 buildings had been destroyed.
The 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes, whose epicenter was located in Kahramanmaras province, affected 10 provinces and more than 13 million people.
Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, were affected by the earthquake.
*Translated from English by Mourad Belhaj
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