The destructive earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale that struck Turkey and Syria has over 5,000 dead and over 20,000 injured, making it one of the worst earthquakes in decades. The devastating images of overwhelmed emergency services trying to rescue people from the rubble have highlighted the need for urgent international assistance for both countries, one of which – Syria – has been embroiled in conflict since 2011.
Catastrophic scenes from #Turkey as hundreds of building can be seen destroyed throughout the city.
More than 1300 people have been killed and thousands of others injured in Turkey and #Syria after a powerful magnitude 7.8 #earthquake hit southern Turkey. pic.twitter.com/mlFoHtE9Pb— Afshin Ismaeli (@Afshin_Ismaeli) February 6, 2023
Calls for help were heard and governments and international organizations poured into the affected areas, sending rescue teams and humanitarian aid.
Israel was one of the first nations to respond, sending two aid delegations to Turkey. The first arrived this morning in the city of Adana in order to “get a first idea of the situation on the ground”, as reported The Times of Israel. Subsequently, the Israeli government sent another “larger” mission which includes “extensive humanitarian assistance in cooperation with other aid agencies”, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
This is the team of men and women from Israel who are already on the ground in #Turkey joining the rescue efforts in the face of the terrible emergency situation.
That through your actions you can save lives and bring relief and hope to many.
????FDI pic.twitter.com/KSg47ApZ5J
— Israel in Spanish (@IsraelinSpanish) February 7, 2023
According to the Israeli media, this second delegation includes search and rescue equipment from the Home Front Command of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)a unit responsible for the search and rescue of people, mainly in the event of war or natural disaster. A third plane should also be sent with humanitarian goods and medicines.
“Today we are sending two professional delegations on behalf of the State of Israel, including representatives of the Foreign Ministry, to do everything possible to help the victims,” said the head of diplomacy Israeli, Eli Cohen, during a meeting with senior Foreign Ministry officials and representatives of the National Security Council, the Israel Defense Forces and the Ministries of Defense and Health to discuss sending help in Turkey.
Tonight, “Olive Branches” #Israel’s 150-person #humanitarian aid delegation left Israel for #Turkey to assist in the earthquake-stricken area.
The mission is expected to begin its search & rescue operations immediately.#Turkey #TurkeyEarthquake pic.twitter.com/c3ze0HXIFI
— Israel Nitzan???????? (@IsraelNitzan) February 7, 2023
At the same time, the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ronen Levi, underlined that “the knowledge acquired by the missions of the ministry in this field is extremely important for the good management of this incident”. “We must be ready to help anyone who needs help. We must act as quickly as possible in order to save lives”he added.
MDA Director General Eli Bin has sent an offer of humanitarian and medical aid to the head of the Turkish Red Crescent.
“MDA is at your disposal for any assistance that may be required” using MDA’s global experience in natural disaster zones@RedCrescent #Turkey #earthquake pic.twitter.com/0cT1vsHFhl— Magen David Adom (@Mdais) February 6, 2023
Both Cohen and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Nentanyahu conveyed their condolences to the Turkish government and people. Since the day of the disaster, Cohen is in contact with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Cavusogluas well as with the Israeli ambassador in Ankara, Irit Lillian.
the Israeli humanitarian delegation to Turkey just landed in Adana ????????.
Together with the rescue teams we will leave soon to the disaster areas where we will begin the rescue operation.
“Whosoever saves a single life, saves an entire universe” (Mishnah, Sanhedrin) pic.twitter.com/TF0MwkjGEf
— David Saranga (@DavidSaranga) February 7, 2023
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant also held talks with the military and Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar to coordinate Israeli aid sent to the affected area. Similarly, the Israeli Magen David Adom emergency services are in contact with their Turkish counterparts from the Turkish Red Crescent.
As a symbol of solidarity with the Republic of Turkiye, the municipality of #TelAviv light its building tonight with the #Turkish flag. Our heart is with you ???????? ????????????️ pic.twitter.com/GYDOy7QCfW
— Irit Lillian (@iritlillian) February 6, 2023
Syria denies asking for help from Israel
The Netanyahu government also approved sending humanitarian aid to Syria after a Russian diplomat requested it, an Israeli source told Archyde.com. Times of Israel. However, the Israeli authorities are still considering how to deliver this aid, the two countries do not maintain diplomatic relations.
Due to the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, Bibi Netanyahu has ordered a delegation to assist Turkey and will provide humanitarian aid to Syrians even though we are in a perpetual state of war with them, the citizens are not part of that.
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— Documenting Israel (@israelmuse) February 6, 2023
Israeli media reports that the Jewish state will send tents, medicine and blankets. Israel will also take in wounded Syrians for medical treatmentaccording to a senior official.
However, the pro-government Syrian newspaper Al Watan denied the allegations, saying that Damascus did not ask for help from Israel. An official source quoted by the newspaper accuses Netanyahu of using the earthquake to “deceive public opinion”.
The joy of civil defense personnel and civilians while extracting two alive girls from the rubble of their destroyed house in northern #Syria
????????❤️????#earthquake #Earthquake#earthquake pic.twitter.com/9TbiflpwSp– Mohammad – Muhammad Asakra (@mohammed_asakra) February 7, 2023
Wave of international solidarity with the Turkish and Syrian peoples
Besides Israel, dozens of countries have sent relief and aid missions to areas affected by the brutal earthquake. Following the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, 19 Member States (Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Spain, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal , Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) as well as Albania and Montenegro have offered assistance delegations in coordination with the EU Emergency Response Coordination Center (ERCC) and the Turkish authorities. European countries have so far offered Turkey 1,185 rescuers and 79 search dogs, but those numbers are likely to rise.
Thousands of volunteers from Istanbul are in Istanbul Airport to join with the Turkish Disaster Management Agency in Earthquake affected regions in southern Turkiye.#earthquake pic.twitter.com/VN2tm2qr8w
– Aidarouss Ahmed Hirsi (@aidaroussahmed) February 7, 2023
On the other hand, in Syria, the EU funds humanitarian partnerships on the ground that carry out search and rescue operations, while providing water and sanitation, and distributing blankets and hygiene items in affected areas. Delivering aid to affected areas in Syria is more complicated due to Western sanctions against Bashar al-Assad’s government.
Proud to see Firefighters of @spain from Valencia and Zaragoza on my flight to Istanbul and then to Adana to join @WCKitchen teams. Amazing initial response of the International community…let’s hope this dogs and others find many more people alive….????#ChefsForTurkey pic.twitter.com/hGUO2oMnXZ
– José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) February 7, 2023
In this regard, the Syrian Red Crescent, together with the Arab-American Committee against Discrimination (ADC), called on the West to lift sanctions to facilitate the arrival of aid. In the same vein, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said the Syrian government was ready to “provide all necessary facilities” to receive humanitarian aid.
Greek rescuers tried hard to get a young girl out of the ruble alive. They did not manage. Minutes after, they are rescuing her 6 yrs old sister. And they burst into tears. And then applauding. The mystery of life, the power of love. #Turkeyyou are not alone! #TurkeyEarthquake pic.twitter.com/gS26kX6C3t
— Makis Mylonas (@MylonasMakis) February 7, 2023
The United States, one of the nations that offered aid, has already announced its “commitment” to those affected, but ruled out any direct contact with Al-Assad’s government. “It would be quite ironic, even counterproductive, for us to reach out to a government that has brutally mistreated its people for years,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said during a briefing. press. Instead, Washington will work with its “humanitarian partners on the ground.”
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???? India sends teams to support local relief after the country suffered a powerful earthquake. pic.twitter.com/l12lBcsjM7
— (Little) Think Tank (@L_ThinkTank) February 7, 2023
Countries that have joined the aid effort include the United Kingdom, Iraq, India, China, Japan and the United Arab Emirateswhich announced $100 million for victims in both countries.