Emergency team members search for people in a destroyed building in Adana, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. Rescuers raced Tuesday to find survivors in the rubble of thousands of buildings brought down by a powerful earthquake and multiple aftershocks that struck eastern Turkey and neighbouring Syria. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia directed the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center on Tuesday to operate an air bridge to assist earthquake victims in Syria and Turkiye.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkiye and neighboring Syria early Monday, destroying thousands of buildings, including many apartment blocks, and leaving tens of thousands injured or homeless.
The bridge will help provide health, shelter, food, and logistical assistance to mitigate the effects of the earthquake on people in Syria and Turkiye.
The king and crown prince also ordered the organisation of a charity campaign through KSrelief’s Sahem Platform.
The assistance provided stems from the keenness of the Saudi leadership to support those affected by the devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkiye, the Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said.
He added that various food, shelter, and medical aid will be provided in support of rescue efforts.
Search teams and aid poured into both Turkiye and Syria on Tuesday as rescuers working in freezing temperatures dug through the remains of buildings flattened by a powerful earthquake. The death toll soared above 6,200 and is still expected to rise.
