Int’l community expresses condolences, offers assistance
SERKAN DEMİRTAŞ-BRUSSELS
The international community has offered condolences and mobilized assistance to Türkiye after strong quakes hit Türkiye’s southern and southeastern regions.
The U.S., the U.K., Israel, Russia, Spain, Japan and Germany are among other nations to have made public offers of assistance.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Türkiye has received offers from 45 nations, alongside NATO and the EU, for sending relief, and medical aid.
The United States “profoundly concerned, will continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Türkiye,” said the U.S. White House.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog offered help in a message on Twitter, and said, “The State of Israel is always ready to send aid by any means possible. Our hearts go out to the families and Turkish people who are grieving at this painful time.” The IDF is currently preparing to send out a humanitarian aid delegation to Türkiye, the Israel Defense forces said.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said, “I am in touch with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, and NATO Allies are mobilizing support now.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said her thoughts were with the families of those who lost their lives in the earthquakes and those who still fear for their relatives, friends, or neighbors. “Together with our partners, we stand ready to provide assistance,” she said.
“Germany will of course send aid,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz tweeted. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said Germany’s federal civil protection agency could emergency support equipment.
The Spanish Foreign Ministry announced that the country mobilized troops and drones to Türkiye from the Military Emergency Unit, which will travel to Malatya Airport. “Spain is preparing additional aid that the affected countries and their populations may require,” said the statement.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna extended condolences to Turkish people “with whom France stands alongside.” “Of course, France is available to help,” she added.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed solidarity with the people of Türkiye and said, “Deeply saddened by the news of a massive earthquake that struck the southeastern region of Türkiye. I send my profound condolences and most sincere sympathies to my brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the brotherly people of Türkiye on the loss of precious lives and damage to infrastructure.” Islamabad will lend “all possible help” to Türkiye, he said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon.” India is “ready to offer all possible assistance to cope with this tragedy,” Modi wrote on Twitter.
The United States is ready to provide assistance to help with the earthquake rescue effort, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.
“Russian President Putin extends deep condolences to Türkiye,” Kremlin said, adding that Moscow is ready to provide necessary assistance to mitigate earthquake damages.
A 100-member rescue team and two IL-76 airplanes were readied for assistance, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conveyed condolences to the people of Türkiye and those who lost their lives in the earthquake. ‘’I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured. At this time, we stand by the friendly Turkish people and are ready to provide the necessary assistance,’’ he said.
Egyptian foreign ministry stated that Cairo offered condolences for those who lost their lives in the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, saying that the country is “ready to help face this disaster.”
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his condolences and said Athens mobilized all its resources to help.
“On behalf of myself and my people, I convey my best wishes to the motherland Türkiye. Our hearts were broken. Our sadness is great,” Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar said on Twitter.
The President of Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Nechirvan Barzani, said, “I extend my condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones, and wish a quick recovery to the wounded.”
Japan dispatched a leading team consisting of 3 members of the Japan International Emergency Rescue Team and a 15-person rescue team.
Taiwan’s Fire Department said it has a team of 130 people, along with five search dogs and 13 tons of aid, ready to go to Türkiye, and is awaiting a response from Türkiye to the offer.
Poland will send rescue group HUSAR consisting of 76 firemen and eight rescue dogs, Interior and Administration Minister Mariusz Kamiński said.
Bulgaria’s defense minister announced that two Spartan military transport aircraft will take off with emergency teams of firefighters, rescue workers and medics.
The WHO said its network of emergency medical teams has been activated to provide essential health care for the injured and most vulnerable affected by the earthquake.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha called the member states and relevant institutions as well as all partners to contribute to the rescue efforts conducted by Türkiye.