Turkey-Syria Earthquakes: World leaders pledge support as death toll hits 4,300

International organisations, as well as governments from Asia to Europe to the Middle East, are rushing to dispatch aid, personnel, and equipment to help rescue efforts in Turkey and neighboring Syria after a powerful 7.8-magnitude tremor killed over 4,300 people and left thousands missing.

The initial quake that struck Turkey at 4:17 am local time was followed hours later by a couple more strong ones. Authorities fear the death toll from the pre-dawn tremor and the accompanying aftershocks would keep climbing as rescuers look for survivors in the rubble.

The EU has mobilised search and rescue teams to help Turkey and has expressed its readiness to offer help to Syria through its humanitarian assistance programmes.

The US is coordinating urgent support for NATO-member Turkey, while US-supported humanitarian partners are responding to the disaster in Syria.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the country is ready to provide all possible help to Turkey, including 100 personnel, specially trained dog squads, medical teams, and necessary equipment.

Keep Reading

• India’s Sinking Town: Joshimath declared ‘unsafe for living’, dozens evacuated

The Red Cross Society of China has decided to offer both the Turkish and Syrian Red Crescent organisations $200,000 each, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Taiwan is coordinating with Turkey about sending specialised search and rescue teams, in addition to donating $200,000.

Russia has also extended its hand of support to Turkey and Syria.

Historic rival Greece is offering Turkey rescuers, rescue dogs, a special rescue vehicle, a structural engineer, doctors as well as seismic planning experts.

The cash-strapped Lebanese government has decided to send soldiers and first responders to Turkey, while Jordan, on the orders of King Abdullah II, is offering emergency aid to Syria and Turkey.

The UK is sending Turkey search-and-rescue specialists and an emergency medical team among others, and says it is in contact with the United Nations about getting emergency assistance to victims in Syria.

A number of other countries, including Japan, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, and Egypt, have also pledged urgent support for the earthquake-hit nations.

You can also help. A number of organisations, including Global Giving, Save the Children, and Project HOPE, are accepting donations.