Aid workers rush to Turkey and Syria after deadly earthquake

Countries have rushed to send aid, personnel and materials to aid rescue efforts in the disaster areas of Turkey and Syria. Here is an overview of what is provided so far:

— The European Union has mobilized search and rescue teams to help Turkey, while the 27-nation bloc’s Copernicus satellite system has been activated to provide emergency mapping services. At least 13 member countries offered their help. The EU said it was also ready to offer aid to Syria through its humanitarian aid programs.

– The United States is coordinating immediate assistance to NATO member Turkey, including teams to support search and rescue efforts. U.S.-backed humanitarian partners are also responding to the destruction in Syria.

– Russian rescue teams from the Emergencies Ministry are preparing to go to Syria, where the Russian army deployed there has already sent 10 units comprising 300 people to help clean up debris and search for survivors. The Russian army has set up distribution points for humanitarian aid. Russia also offered to help Turkey, which was accepted.

— The Israeli army says it is sending a search and rescue team of 150 engineers, medical personnel and other aid workers to Turkey. The delegation was to leave Israel on Monday evening. The military said it would provide “immediate assistance in rescue efforts”. The two countries, once close regional allies, are coming to terms with each other after years of tension. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he also approved a request for humanitarian aid for Syria, received through a diplomatic official. Israel and Syria do not have diplomatic relations and the two countries have fought several wars.

– The German Foreign Ministry said it was coordinating its aid response with EU partners and preparing deliveries of emergency generators, tents, blankets and water treatment equipment . He also offered to send teams from the THW civil protection agency to Turkey to help with the response. The International Search and Rescue Germany group was also preparing to fly dozens of doctors and rescue experts to Turkey on Monday evening.

Greece, a neighbor and historic regional rival, is sending a team of 21 rescuers, two rescue dogs and a special rescue vehicle, along with a structural engineer, five doctors and seismic planning experts to Turkey in a transport plane. military.

– The cash-strapped Lebanese government is sending soldiers, Red Cross and Civil Defense first responders and firefighters to Turkey to help in its rescue efforts.

– Britain is sending 76 search and rescue specialists with equipment and dogs, plus an emergency medical team, to Turkey. The UK also says it is in contact with the UN to get help for the victims in Syria.

– Jordan sends emergency aid to earthquake-hit Syria and Turkey on the orders of King Abdullah II.

— The Czech Republic is sending a team of 68 rescuers to Turkey, including firefighters, doctors, structural engineers and also experts with sniffer dogs.

— The Swiss rescue dog service REDOG sends 22 rescuers with 14 dogs to Turkey. The government has announced that it will also send 80 search and rescue specialists to the country, including disaster experts from the army.

— Japan is sending a group of about 75 rescue workers to Turkey.

— Austria has offered to send 84 troops from a military disaster relief unit to Turkey.

— Spain was preparing to send two urban search and rescue teams to Turkey with 85 personnel and a contingent of volunteer firefighters.

— The Italian Civil Protection Agency has offered assistance to Turkey. A firefighting team was preparing from Pisa, and the Italian military said the transport flights would carry equipment as well as medical and other personnel.

— France is sending relief teams to Turkey.

— Poland is sending 76 firefighters and eight trained dogs, with equipment, to Turkey.

— Romania sends specialized personnel and equipment to Turkey on two military planes.

— Croatia sends 40 men and 10 dogs, rescue equipment and vans to Turkey.

— Serbia sends 21 rescuers and three liaison officers to Turkey.

— Montenegro sends at least 24 firefighters to Turkey.

— The Moldovan president said that 55 rescue workers had been sent to Turkey.

— Egypt promised emergency humanitarian aid to Turkey.