The European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, visited Gaziantep, Turkey, and the Syrian border on Thursday 9 February to show the European Union’s solidarity, express the EU’s condolences in person and take stock of the enormous needs on the ground in the two countries affected by the powerful, deadly and devastating earthquake of 6 February (see EUROPE 13117/4).
After meeting with Turkish first responders, national rescue services and search and medical teams, he said he was “impressed by the dedication shown by all”.
The most recent EU assistance includes the mobilisation of the RescEU reserve to provide 500 temporary accommodation units, 2,000 tents and 10,500 beds to Turkey from its emergency stocks hosted by Sweden and Romania. The financial value of this aid amounts to almost €5 million.
This is in addition to the 38 rescue teams, over 1,600 rescue workers and over 100 tracking dogs to search for survivors provided by 26 countries (including 21 Member States) through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (see EUROPE 13117/4).
So far, 36 people have been saved.
“It is a race against time. These search and rescue operations will continue as long as there is any hope of finding survivors”, the Commissioner assured a press conference.
“Helping the Syrians is equally important. We are trying to do our best, but it’s not that easy”. He said an arrangement had been reached with the World Food Programme (WFP), which activated the UCPM on Thursday and “will be able to deliver aid in a fair and accountable manner” to “ensure that it reaches those in need”. This will allow additional EU aid to be channelled. Italy and Romania have already made the first offers: family tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, beds, food, winter clothes, etc.
One of the obstacles cited by the Commissioner is the fact that the Security Council has only authorised one crossing point. He welcomed the availability of the crossing point for cross-border humanitarian aid. “It would be easier if all crossing points were allowed” he said.
He called on the Member States to respond to the Syrian authorities’ request for assistance from the UCPM.
In total, additional humanitarian aid from the EU and its Member States since Monday has reached €50 million. Mr Lenarčič said he was “confident that more will come”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)