On 6 February 2023, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 hit the Southern area of Türkiye, which greatly affected several parts of the country. This earthquake devastated parts of Syria and was felt in Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Armenia, Georgia, and Lebanon. Several aftershocks were felt across the country throughout the day, with the most recent one occurring at noon on 7 February 2023.
The tragic earthquake damaged tons of properties, and many lives were lost. As per Qatar News Agency's latest report on 7 February, in Türkiye, the Disaster and Management Authority (AFAD) said that the death toll rose to 3,381 and that 20,426 individuals were injured from 10 Turkish provinces.
Türkiye and Syria are continuously going through rescue operations, assisted by several government and non-government organizations, including Qatar.
Read ahead to find out how Qatar has been assisting and supporting Türkiye and Syria since the earthquake took place last Monday. The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team will update you on the latest developments through this article, so keep checking back here.
Please note: Following the tragic disaster in Türkiye and Syria, many organizations in Qatar are raising funds and sending aid to both countries. Donate here!
The State of #Qatar is committed to fulfilling its moral and humanitarian role by providing assistance to those impacted by conflict, natural disasters, and other calamities. pic.twitter.com/GDVTgwqe6q
— مكتب الاتصال الحكومي (@GCOQatar) February 19, 2023
Qatar is committed to fulfilling its moral and humanitarian role by providing assistance to those impacted by conflict, natural disasters, and other calamities.
Since the earthquake hit southern Turkey and northern Syria, the State of Qatar has begun delivering urgent relief efforts to the affected areas. Qatar established an air bridge to transport aid to Türkiye and into Syria. The urgent Qatari campaign included:
Qatar Charity is making tremendous efforts to help the victims of the two countries. You can help by donating here:
In coordination with the Qatar Red Crescent Society, the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Doha has set up a donation drive for those affected by the earthquake. The embassy has listed its suggested in-kind donations, including unused winter clothing for adults and children, tents, beds, diapers, flashlights, thermos, and more. Used donations will not be accepted.
The donations can be sent to the below addresses from 9 am to 5 pm between 8-10 February and will be transported to Türkiye by Turkish Airlines.
Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) announced on its official Twitter page that it plans to construct a new residential village in northern Syria with 300 concrete flats. The village will have all infrastructure, including streets, gardens & services facilities (mosque, school, health unit, shops, etc.). Each 60-square-meter, 2-bedroom flat ensures displaced families' privacy, security, and dignity.
As part of Qatar's assistance to Türkiye and Syria during these trying times, it has participated in search and rescue operations. The Qatari International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), in cooperation with the Omani search and rescue team, rescued an elderly man in the state of Antakya 7 days after the earthquake.
Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) supported the operations of Syria Civil Defence, the White Helmets, in response to the devastating impact of the earthquake in Syria.
The support aims to help the White Helmets team's search and rescue operations and logistics in Syria to continue its work and rescue the victims. This support covers The White Helmets' critical need for logistic supplies to continue responding to the devastating humanitarian situation resulting from the earthquake.
Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) announced that the volunteer medical team had begun its first surgical operations for the survivors of the Türkiye and Syria earthquake. The operations were conducted to the survivors rescued from under the rubble who required surgical procedures.
Qatar Television in partnership with Qatar Charity and Qatar Red Crescent Society started an urgent relief campaign on QTV.QA on 10 February 2023, 5:30 pm, for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.
Two large earthquakes of 7.8 and 7.6 magnitude devastated large parts of southeastern Türkiye and Syria on 6 February 2023. Thousands lost their lives in the tragedy, and rescue efforts within the countries and relief aid from across the world are ongoing.
A total of QR 168,015,836 was donated on the first day of the campaign, and here are some of the companies and individuals who donated.
The Qatari international Search and Rescue Group arrived at Adana airport in Türkiye on Tuesday, 7 February, coinciding with the arrival of the first flights of the air bridge allocated by the State of Qatar to support the sisterly Republic of Turkey to confront the earthquake disaster.
The group has been conducting search and rescue operations, supported by specialized mechanisms and equipment, a field hospital, relief aid, tents and winter supplies.
Qatar Fund for Development, along with Qatar Red Crescent Society and Qatar Charity, successfully sent three planes containing 108 tons of urgent aid to Türkiye and Syria on 8 February 2023. The relief aid was transported through the Qatari Emiri Air Force air bridge, a directive ordered by The Amir.
On 7 February 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar allocated 10,000 mobile homes to be transferred to the earthquake-affected areas of Türkiye and Syria as relief efforts.
A day after the earthquake, the Qatar Red Crescent Society sent out its relief stock in Doha to the affected areas in Türkiye and Syria. The relief shipment contained 2,250 heavy blankets, 2,750 light blankets, 1,000 jerrycans, 3,000 mosquito nets, 2,000 tarpaulins, 500 shelter maintenance kits & 1,360 family hygiene kits.
Qatar Red Crescent Society was assisted by the Qatar Emiri Armed Forces and Qatar Fund For Development.
@qcharity, in cooperation with the Qatar Fund for Development and the Qatari Amiri Air Force, has deployed its urgent relief aid to Türkiye on 7 February 2023. pic.twitter.com/TsP7gTrdM9
— ILoveQatar - Live (@ILQLive) February 7, 2023
The Amir of the State of Qatar, H.H. Sheikh Tamim instructed the launch of the first flights of the air bridge in support of its sisterly Republic of Türkiye.
The first flights of the air bridge were accompanied by a team from the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya). The first flights were equipped with special tools for search and rescue operations and materials for a field hospital, relief aid, tents and winter supplies.
On the same day, Qatar Charity (QC) began providing urgent relief aid to those affected by the earthquake.
The organization immediately distributed 27,000 ready-to-eat meals to the earthquake victims equally in Syria and Türkiye. A convoy of 4 aid consignments from Doha, containing medical supplies, first aid, clothes, dates, and food items, was also deployed.
On His Highness' official Twitter account, H.H. The Amir shared a statement offering his condolences to those affected by the earthquake while reaffirming Qatar's continuous support in assisting the affected and mitigating the disaster's effects.
Our condolences to the families of the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, and we ask God for a speedy recovery for the injured, and we express our solidarity with the people of the affected areas, and we affirm that the State of Qatar stands with the brotherly peoples of Turkey and Syria and provides all necessary support to mitigate the effects of this earthquake.
Sources: QNA, Qatar Charity, Qatar Red Crescent, Qatar Fund for Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, @TamimBinHamad (via Twitter)
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