Arab countries gather to help earthquake victims in Turkey, Syria

Arab countries rushed to raise money and send aid to Turkey in the wake of devastating earthquakes that killed at least 20,000 people and injured more than 80,000.

The State of Qatar

On Friday, Qatar News Agency reported that the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, donated $14 million to earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria.

Al Thani donated money to the OunSaand campaign, which is organized by a Qatari TV channel.

About $19 million was raised as part of the campaign.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Friday that the numbers have risen to at least 20,213 dead and 80,052 injured as a result of the two powerful earthquakes that rocked southern Turkey on Monday.

The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in Kahramanmaras province, affected more than 13 million people in 10 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye and Şanlıurfa.

Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, also felt the earthquakes that hit Turkey in less than 10 hours.

Many Arab countries have provided vital support through rescue teams and relief supplies to assist with earthquake relief operations in Turkey and Syria.

More than 20,213 people have been killed and 80,052 injured after two powerful earthquakes hit southern Turkey on Monday, according to the latest official figures.

In neighboring Syria, the death toll has risen to more than 3,300, and more than 5,200 wounded.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Three Saudi planes arrived in the southern Turkish city of Adana, carrying rescue teams, ambulances, volunteers and more than 200 tons of relief and medical supplies, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

More than 569,000 people donated to a collection campaign in Saudi Arabia, which generated more than 192 million riyals ($51.2 million) for earthquake victims, according to data from the Saudi government’s Sahem platform.

The United Arab Emirates

As of Thursday, the UAE had sent 22 planes – 15 to Turkey and seven to Syria – with 640 tons of aid, several search and rescue teams, and a fully equipped mobile field hospital.

And based on the directives of the President of the State, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, special prayers were held in mosques on Fridays for the souls of the victims of the devastating earthquakes.

Al Ansari Exchange, the leading forex company, has announced a donation of 3.67 million dirhams ($1 million) to earthquake relief efforts.

Kuwait

Kuwait’s official news agency reported that the Kuwaiti cabinet pledged $30 million for relief efforts in Turkey and Syria.

The Ministry of Social Affairs held a meeting with representatives of various charities on Thursday to coordinate relief operations.

The report stated that Namaa Charity Association distributed 8,000 meals and more than 3,000 blankets to people in the disaster area.

the two seas

Bahrain’s official news agency reported that special prayers were held in Bahrain’s mosques on Friday for the souls of the earthquake victims.

A fundraiser was also launched in the country on Thursday.

Sultanate of Oman

Rescue teams and relief supplies from Oman arrived in Adana on Thursday and started working in Hatay province, according to the Oman Civil Defense Authority.

Iraq

The Iraqi government said on Thursday that it will send two planes carrying relief materials and medical supplies for earthquake victims in Turkey.

Palestine

A 73-member Palestinian team arrived in Turkey and Syria on Thursday to help with the ongoing earthquake relief efforts.

The Palestinian government also launched a relief campaign, with the Ministry of Awqaf starting fundraising by donating $100,000.

In the Gaza Strip, dozens of people held a vigil on Thursday evening for the earthquake victims.

Libya

Moulay Jedidi, head of the Tuareg Social Council, called on people to donate and provide assistance to earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria “through specific channels”.

Mauritania

On Thursday, President Mohamed Ould El Ghazouani directed the government to organize urgent support for Turkey and Syria.

The National Rally for Reform and Development also called on philanthropists to “extend a helping hand to the Turkish and Syrian peoples.”

Sudan

On Friday, the Sudanese army announced that it had sent a plane to Turkey with rescue teams and relief materials.

Over the past two days, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia and Egypt have announced sending humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.