Earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria

Casdon

I’m most concerned about Syria, a lot of international aid is being mobilised to help in Turkey now, but there’s little on the news about Syria, it’s obviously dangerous to provide support there but the people need it.

The UK, US, Canada and some European countries fund the White Helmets who are used to search and rescue, medical aid and evacuations in Syria, despite opposition from Russia and bombing campaigns by the Assad-led regime.

Witzend thanks for the insight. It’s just so horrific, all those people who could be saved but won’t be because of the conflict.

Assad will simply see this as a means to beat down the rebel held areas. I doubt he will let much relief through to them.

Casdon

I’m most concerned about Syria, a lot of international aid is being mobilised to help in Turkey now, but there’s little on the news about Syria, it’s obviously dangerous to provide support there but the people need it.

I don’t suppose it’s just the danger aspect - NGOs need cooperation from the govt. and officials, too. One of my dds was working for large NGOs in the aftermath of both the Boxing Day tsunami and the Haiti earthquake. Just for starters in Aceh (tsunami) they had customs officials demanding hefty bribes for releasing essential equipment. And since the NGO in question refused to pay bribes, the equipment was delayed for some time.
Corruption in disaster zones is sadly often rife.
Re Syria in particular, President Assad is not exactly notorious for giving much of a toss about his own people.

We donated via The Red Cross online. It was quick and easy.

I’m most concerned about Syria, a lot of international aid is being mobilised to help in Turkey now, but there’s little on the news about Syria, it’s obviously dangerous to provide support there but the people need it.

The UN and EU offices are coordinating relief. Important that smaller bodies accept their coordination via governments and the larger NGOs as otherwise supplies not immediately required take up freight and air/dockside space needed for urgent stuff.

The Red Cross has vast experience in bringing aid swiftly to people where it is needed in these disasters.

Requires very large scale help which only governments and very large NGOs are capable of. I assume Erdogan has mobilised the Turkish military to help. This will mean months of action followed by massive reconstruction, hopefully with building code compliance to make buildings more shockproof.

Thanks FannyCornforth

Just bumping this so that others can access the links

And they have snow. Thanks for the links to donate everyone.

The fault lines are definitely monitored. I remember a few years back being told by one of our Turkish friends, whose brother trained as an environmental engineer, that the nature of the fault lines in that part of the world makes it extremely difficult to predict when an earthquake may occur.

Truly astonishing pictures of the block of flats collapsing like a pack of cards or like a scene from a disaster movie. Just dreadful.
I wonder if the fault lines there were being continuously monitored like they are in many other countries. The one upon which San Francisco is built is one of course. That ways residents have a chance to escape before the damaging earthquake happens.

It’s absolutely heartbreaking. Seeing the remains of buildings knowing there could be thousands crushed is beyond belief. 😢

Thank you

Oxfam and the Red Cross are co-ordinating donations, and there are a number of official, regulated Turkish organisations to which you can donate as well.

I think the DEC is recommending some of its charities but hasn't co-ordinated anything yet.

The Red Cross is one of these and they are always very swift to respond to emergencies.

The only thing I’ve seen so far is a Red Cross appeal. It’s very soon yet though, there will be other options to come I would think.
donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal?c_name=Turkey-Syria%20Earthquake%20Appeal&c_source=Homepage%20Herobox&c_medium=Internal&c_creative=Donate%20Landing_Turkey-Syria%20earthquake%20appeal%20launch&c_code=175149&adg=BRC%20Site

What can we do to help? Is there anything set up?

Probably the worst disaster since Boxing Day tsunami. Completely incomprehensible at the moment.

harrigran

My great nephews' father is in Antakya and he says 80% of the area is destroyed. He had been in hospital for an operation and not long discharged, the hospital is destroyed.

How awful. I have a friend who is originally from Antakya. Thankfully, she no longer lives there, but of course, she has many family and friends still in the area.

A lucky escape, harrigran.

The UK is sending immediate aid including search and rescue teams, dogs, equipment and medical aid. The White Helmets are already in Syria and will assist.

Many countries have immediately offered aid.

My great nephews' father is in Antakya and he says 80% of the area is destroyed. He had been in hospital for an operation and not long discharged, the hospital is destroyed.

Just dreadful. I've had Sky news on and the footage is devastating.