U.S. Officials Send Earthquake Aid To Turkey, Joining International Support Response

U.S. Military officials stated Tuesday that the United States European Command had begun sending aid to Turkey Syria After two powerful earthquakes that rocked both nations in 24 hours, thousands died.

“Using a whole of government approach, we remain in close contact with our Turkish Ally to determine what assistance is needed to help those affected by the disaster,” Marine Lt. Col. Garron Garron J. Garn stated in a statement Military Times.

Two earthquakes that struck 7.8 magnitude and 7.5 magnitudes in Turkey and Syria destroyed parts of Turkey, and left approximately 3,000 structures damaged and 7,200 people dead.

As rescue workers continue to look for survivors, more than 5,400 people were killed in Turkey and around 1,500 in Syria. This is the worst natural disaster that has struck the region since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake which claimed more than 30,000 lives.

This area is located on major faultlines. The affected area is the Erdbeben, the dire situation is compounded by the presence of millions of refugees displaced by years-long civil war in Syria who were taking refuge on both sides of Turkey and Syria’s border.

Garn stated that the command is working with the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance to determine what capabilities are available for support requests from the government of Turkey.

President Joe Biden informed President Recep Takyip Erdogan of Turkey that the United States was ready to help. “any and all needed assistance” NATO Ally to respond to the tragedy

Biden stated that “U.S. teams are deploying quickly to support Turkish search and rescue efforts and coordinate other assistance that may be required by people affected by the earthquakes, including health services or basic relief items,” a readout of Biden’s Conversation Erdogan’s statement on February 6.

The U.S. Agency for International Development or USAID and the U.S. Air Force are sending the first round of aid to Dover, Delaware.

“Airmen from the 436th Aerial Port Squadron processed U.S. humanitarian assistance Feb. 7, 2023, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, in support of search and rescue efforts in [Turkey],” According to the U.S. Air Forces Europe & Air Forces Africa Facebook page.

On Tuesday, President Erdogan declared an emergency of three months in the 10 provinces that were hit by the terrible earthquakes.

“We have decided to declare a state of emergency to ensure that our [rescue and recovery] work can be carried out quickly,” Erdogan said that Al Jazeera was his channel. reported.

The Epoch Times reported International assistance has come from all parts of the world to help Syria and Turkey in their Damascus region.

The U.K. and Romania sent teams to Turkey while France, Israel and Germany reportedly said that they would also help. India sent 99 members of a medical team equipped with Xray machines, oxygen generation plants and cardiac monitors in order to establish a medical facility for 30 beds.

A spokesperson for the British Prime Minister Rishi Sonak stated that, according to NBCAccording to reports, a team consisting of 77 British search-and-rescue personnel arrived in Gaziantep, Turkey today with dogs and specialist equipment in response to a request by the Turkish government. They would then assist with the rescue efforts.

Officials of the World Health Organization (WHO), have warned that the death count could rise to about 20,000 as rescue teams continue their search operations.

“It’s now a race against time. Every minute, every hour that passes, the chances of finding survivors alive diminishes,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is the Director-General of World Health Organization. Briefing Tuesday.

Zach Jewell contributed to the report.