As the death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria rose to nearly 20,000 and the number of those injured increased in what is the worst-ever disaster to hit both countries, it is essential to appreciate the untiring efforts of search and rescue teams who have rescued so many trapped under the rubble, despite extreme winter weather which is impacting these efforts. Aftershocks are also a potential hazard — at least 125 measuring 4.0 or greater have occurred since the 7.8 magnitude quake struck southern Turkey.
Since the earthquake, the State of Qatar was among the first countries to send urgent aid. Under the directives of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD), in cooperation with Qatar Red Crescent Society and Qatar Charity, has sent urgent aid to earthquake-affected people in Turkiye and Syria through a Qatar Emiri Air Force air bridge.
On the other hand, the Qatari International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) is working with other rescue teams to save lives as they dig through the rubble. Efforts to support those affected by the quake are not limited to the official level. Various sectors of the Qatari society began collecting aid and donating to the victims.
In cooperation with Qatar Red Crescent and Qatar Charity, the Qatar Fund for Development has successfully delivered 108 tonnes of urgent aid onboard three planes. Qatar Charity said it would distribute 27,000 hot meals in Gaziantep, where it has an office, and is supplying relief items to shelters in Turkey and Syria. The group allocated $6m for the first stages of its response.
Today, at 5:30, the urgent relief campaign for the earthquake-affected people in Syria and Turkey will start under the slogan “Support and Help” (Sanad & Oun). It is organised by the Qatar Media Corporation and Qatar TV, cooperating with the Qatar Red Crescent, the Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities, and Qatar Charity.
Similar initiatives have been taken by various entities, including media outlets like Dar Al Sharq Group, which decided to donate one-week income revenues of its four newspapers; The Peninsula, Al Sharq, Al Arab, and Lusail newspapers which started yesterday (Thursday), to the victims of the devastating earthquake.
The initiative is part of the relief efforts undertaken by entities in Qatar, including civil society organisations and charitable and humanitarian societies, to support the victims of the devastating earthquake.
