Asia-Pacific nations offer aid to victims of Turkey earthquake
The Asia-Pacific region has been offering aid after an earthquake in the country on Monday devastated a vast area of southeastern Turkey and northern Syria.
The total death toll from the magnitude 7.8 quake has surpassed 4,300, according to Turkish state media. Thousands more are reported to have been injured, with rescuers still searching for survivors.
An advance team of 18 rescuers left Japan on Monday night. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the decision to send relief and expressed his condolences to the victims. Japan plans to send 75 rescuers to Turkey.
Many other governments have shared such sentiments and stepped up to lend a hand, joining countries around the world.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand counterpart Chris Hipkins promised help on Tuesday. Albanese told a joint news conference that Canberra would send an initial $10 million in humanitarian assistance to those affected through our Red Cross partners and through humanitarian agencies, and that aid would be targeted for those in the greatest need, according to Albanese. Taiwan sent 40 rescuers to Turkey on Monday, followed by another team on Tuesday morning. It said it would send a total of 130 people along with five search dogs and 13 tons of aid.
Taiwan is donating to the disaster response effort and is ready to contribute to the recovery, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Monday.
The Philippines was preparing to send rescuers to Turkey. The Office of Civil Defense coordinating with agencies to discuss personnel and equipment, according to a statement.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Tuesday that his government would send rescuers and first aid supplies on a military transport aircraft. The Foreign Ministry has been asked by the president to cooperate with Turkish authorities through diplomatic missions in the country.
India's government said on Monday that 100 personnel with specially trained dog squads and necessary equipment are ready to be flown to the earthquake-hit area for search and rescue operations, in coordination with the Turkish side. Medical teams are being prepared with essential medicines, as well as trained doctors and paramedics. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a message for Syria on Twitter, saying: Deeply pained to learn that the devastating earthquake has also affected Syria. My sincere condolences to the families of the victims. We share the grief of Syrian people and remain committed to provide help and support in this difficult time. On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Xu Wei, a spokesman for the China International Development Cooperation Agency, said that China is in communication with the authorities of both affected countries. Xu said that the Chinese government was ready to provide emergency humanitarian aid.