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Turkish Ambassador: "We continue to hope for the rescue of our citizens under the rubble"

2023-02-10T14:57:42.782Z


The earthquake in Turkey and northern Syria has meanwhile killed more than 20,000 people. The Turkish ambassador speaks of an "earthquake of the century".


The earthquake in Turkey and northern Syria has meanwhile killed more than 20,000 people.

The Turkish ambassador speaks of an "earthquake of the century".

Berlin – The Turkish ambassador in Germany, Ahmet Başar Şen, speaks to

IPPEN.MEDIA 's

Münchner Merkur

about

the devastating natural event in the Turkish-Syrian border area.

Even if international aid is in full swing, according to Ambassador Şen, the situation is fatal.

There is a lack of medicine, blankets and tents.

He urgently asks for help.

Northwest Syria was also hit hard by the earthquake.

But for the most part it is still cut off from aid.

Earthquake in Turkey and Syria: Turkish ambassador thanks Germany for support

How big is the damage on site?

It's an incredible catastrophe.

As of now, more than 16,000 people have died and more than 66,000 are injured.

Hundreds of thousands were left homeless in the harsh winter conditions.

Experts believe that these numbers could rise further as search and rescue operations in the disaster areas are still ongoing.

After the earthquake, Turkey immediately appealed for international emergency aid, and a state of emergency was declared in 10 affected provinces.

What concrete offers of help does the Turkish government have for the local people?

All resources in Turkey are currently being mobilized to rescue our people from the rubble and to care for the survivors.

According to the Turkish civil protection authority, over 113,200 helpers are on site.

To date, 5,557 vehicles, as well as tow trucks and cranes, have been brought to the disaster area to support search and rescue efforts.

Rescuers and essential goods are transported to the earthquake areas via an airlift with a total of 160 Air Force aircraft.

And of course we have built numerous emergency shelters.

So far, a total of more than 137,929 tents and 1,255,500 blankets have been sent to the regions hard hit by the earthquake.

How can Germany support Turkey?

Of course, we need relief workers, meaning specialized rescue teams and medical first responders who can participate in search and rescue operations, as well as temporary shelter and in-kind assistance.

What does the Turkish community in Germany need?

Can you support the relief efforts here?

In order to provide the earthquake victims with the necessary material aid, we also need logistical support.

We would like to thank German society and government for their strong solidarity.

In such difficult times it is good to know that we can fully rely on our friends in Europe.

Turkey: Reports of blocked donations in kind for earthquake victims - Ambassador denies allegations

The Turkish embassy in Germany published a list of urgently needed donations in kind yesterday.

But there are reports that all donations in kind are blocked except by the AFAD - the central state disaster control agency.

What are the reasons for that?

On the contrary, every single donation in kind is very welcome.

However, some formal requirements must be met so that customs formalities are simplified and the donations in kind reach the people concerned quickly.

For example, a list of the contents of the cargo should be drawn up and approved by one of our 13 Consulates General in a simplified procedure.

The AFAD coordinates all measures, including the distribution of relief supplies.

Anyone can send donations in kind to the AFAD.

+

The Turkish Ambassador to Germany, Ahmet Başar Şen

© picture alliance/dpa |

Wolfgang Kumm

Do the donations in kind from Germany arrive there?

Naturally!

Consignments are already on their way from Germany by truck or plane.

Some trucks have passed border crossings.

In view of the great willingness to help from Germany, we see that many donations in kind will follow.

There are no problems with customs controls, only some delays due to too much traffic at border crossings with Turkey.

Earthquake disaster in Turkey and Syria: Ankara's ambassador denies blockade to Syria

Could many deaths have been prevented, should there have been warnings?

We know that Turkey lies on many fault lines.

But what we have experienced now is an earthquake of the century.

The exact timing of an earthquake cannot be predicted with today's technology.

Does the earthquake catastrophe affect the election campaign in Turkey?

A seven-day national mourning has been declared in Turkey.

We have lowered our flags to half-mast in the country and at our offices around the world.

We are sad.

Our priority is to save lives and get our people healthy through this winter.

Everything else is on the back burner for the moment.

Could the election even be postponed?

Turkey has a constitutional system, rules and deadlines are provided.

Some social media services in Turkey have been restricted, but these channels are essential for calls for help, why this step?

This is not about stopping social media services per se.

Rather, these are measures against disinformation campaigns.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misleading, false information circulating on the internet about the aftermath of the earthquake.

There are reports that Istanbul and Ankara are blocking donations in kind to Syria...

But on the contrary!

We stand in solidarity with the Syrian people.

The Turkish authorities make no distinction between people.

We really do everything humanly possible.

In the beginning we even had difficulties in reaching our own provinces in the border region with north-western Syria.

The consequences of the catastrophe are still too great, too devastating.

Of course, within the scope of our possibilities, we help everyone where we can.

On the Syrian side, some roads leading to our border crossing are damaged.

To facilitate aid to these areas, we are working to open two more border crossings in Kilis province.

How you can help earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria:

A humanitarian catastrophe is taking place in Turkey and Syria after the devastating earthquake.

Anyone who would like to support those affected with donations can do so with the help of the following organizations.

Aktion Deutschland Hilft:

Bank for Social Economy, IBAN: DE62 3702 0500 0000 1020 30, keyword: Earthquake Turkey and Syria, www.aktion-deutschland-hilft.de

Doctors Without Borders:

 German Section, Bank for Social Economy, IBAN: DE72 3702 0500 0009 7097 00, www.aerzte-ohne-grenzen.de

German Red Cross:

Bank for Social Economy, IBAN: DE63 3702 0500 0005 0233 07, keyword: emergency aid for earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, www.drk.de

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2023-02-10

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