Countries offer support, aid to Turkey, Syria after devastating earthquake
Several countries have voiced their support for Turkey and Syria on Monday, offering to send help after a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed hundreds in both countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country stood ready to provide emergency aid to both states.
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“We are receiving terrible images from Turkey and Syria following an earthquake of unprecedented force,” Macron tweeted.
Watch: A video shared on social media shows the moment a building in #Turkey collapsed after an #earthquake hit the country and nearby Syria. https://t.co/bENgkTTjkH pic.twitter.com/MezDNB31wh
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) February 6, 2023
“France is ready to provide emergency relief to the populations on the ground. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families,” said the French president, whose relations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have often been strained.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, also on Twitter, said that she had sent her “sincere condolences” to her Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, his country and his people.
“France is by their side,” she said.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised aid to both countries following the news.
“We are following the news of the earthquake in the Turkish-Syrian border region with shock,” Scholz said on Twitter. “Germany will of course send help.”
Earlier in the day, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his country was ready to provide necessary assistance to “friendly” Turkish people in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Watch: An injured child is rescued from earthquake rubble in #Syria's Azaz. A total of at least 500 people in #Turkey and Syria were killed in the devastating #earthquake that hit both countries. https://t.co/n2YxrBjhdu pic.twitter.com/SSWlmTPU85
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) February 6, 2023
“Shocked by the news about the death and injury of hundreds of people as a result of the earthquake in Turkey,” Zelenskyy said on Twitter.
“We extend our condolences to the families of the victims and wish the injured a speedy recovery. We are in this moment close to the friendly Turkish people, ready to provide the necessary assistance.”
Separately, Israel on Monday also expressed its intention to aid Turkey in dealing with the devastating consequences of the earthquake.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel’s security forces were ready to provide any assistance needed and Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said a swift aid program was being prepared.
Read more:
Major earthquake in Turkey kills at least 284, over 2,000 injured: Official
More than 120 killed by earthquake in areas held by Syrian opposition forces
Saudi embassy in Turkey working with authorities to confirm deaths after quake
