E.U. has announced to provide additional emergency support worth € 6.5 million to Syria and Turkey after a series of earthquakes devastated the 2 countries
The European Union (E.U.) has announced to provide additional emergency support worth € 6.5 million to Syria and Turkey after a series of earthquakes devastated the 2 countries on February 6, 2023, killing over 16,000 people.
Of these, € 3.5 million will be allocated to Syria and € 3 million would be allocated to Turkey. The funding would be done through the E.U. Civil Protection Mechanism. This is one of the EU’s largest ever search and rescue operations through the E.U. Civil Protection Mechanism.
Taking it to twitter, the European Commission tweeted,
More and more European teams are joining rescue efforts in Türkiye via #EUCivPro Mechanism.
— European Commission 🇪🇺 (@EU_Commission) February 8, 2023
20 EU countries 🇦🇹🇧🇪🇧🇬🇭🇷🇨🇿🇨🇾🇪🇪🇫🇷🇬🇷🇩🇪🇭🇺🇮🇹🇲🇹🇳🇱🇵🇱🇵🇹🇷🇴🇸🇰🇸🇮🇪🇸 and 🇦🇱🇲🇪🇷🇸 have offered 31 search & rescue and 5 medical teams.
In total, 1,500 rescuers and 100 search dogs have been mobilised.
It further tweeted,
European rescue teams are working around the clock to save the lives of the thousands of people trapped under the rubble and to support those affected.
— European Commission 🇪🇺 (@EU_Commission) February 8, 2023
The EU is considering all feasible options to deploy additional resources inside Türkiye and Syria.https://t.co/kFFJeMOAhl
The European Commissioner for Crisis Management and In-Charge of European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid – Janez Lenarčič is due to visit the affected areas in Türkiye as part of the coordination of the E.U. response.
The E.U. Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in contact with E.U. Member States and the United Nations to immediately channel possible offers to the people in Syria. The E.U. would be providing assistance to help people with access to shelter, water and sanitation, various health items and other items they currently need to support the search and rescue operations.
Moreover, in Syria the E.U. is closely cooperating with it’s humanitarian partners. It is adjusting it’s ongoing humanitarian projects to respond to the crisis. E.U. partners which include NGOs and U.N. agencies, are supporting affected medical facilities with medical kits, food and shelter and repairing of damaged infrastructure.
In Turkey, a total of 20 Member States have offered 31 search and rescue teams and 5 medical teams. The teams comprise over 1,500 rescuers and 100 search and rescue dogs. Additionally, Turkey has also asked for shelter items via the E.U. Civil Protection Mechanism. Germany, Lithuania and Slovenia have already offered blankets, tents and heaters to the people of Turkey.
