Israel sends two more planes carrying aid

Two more Israeli planes carrying five housing containers each landed in Erzurum yesterday.

“We are working in full coordination with our Turkish colleagues and will keep on extending any help needed. Now, our concern is to see to it that the aid will get into Turkish hands as soon as possible,” Nizar Amer, spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy, said yesterday.

Upon Turkey’s call on the international community for assistance for quake-hit Van province, Israel sent a plane last week carrying containers to respond to housing necessities of earthquake victims. Israel was the first country to respond to Turkey’s call, immediately sending a civilian Boeing 747 carrying seven prefabricated housing units.

Turkey asked for assistance from more than 30 countries that offered to help in the country’s efforts to relieve its easternmost province from the 7.2-magnitude quake that struck on Oct. 23.