Germany is doubling its aid for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. A total of 240 million euros are now to be mobilized, announced Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock today at an international donor conference in Brussels. Those who still have to live in tents and need medical care should continue to receive intensive support from Europe, said the politician.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson had invited to an international donor conference in Brussels to collect donations for relief and reconstruction measures after the disaster. Sweden currently holds the presidency of the EU states. It was expected that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would also take part in the meeting via video link.
On February 6, two earthquakes measuring 7.7 and a little later measuring 7.6 shook southeast Turkey and northern Syria. In all, more than 50,000 people lost their lives and millions were left homeless. In Turkey alone, 3.7 million people have been evacuated from the region since the disaster, according to the government, and almost two million people are currently living in tents.