An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 on the Richter scale occurred 19 km SW of Malatya in Turkey, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) announced in a post on Twitter.
The earthquake was reported around 05:03:43 (local time) at a depth of 2 km at location 38.19 N and 38.23 E, the EMSC said. The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre tweeted, “#Earthquake (#deprem) M4.6 occurred 19 km SW of #Malatya (#Turkey) 14 min ago (local time 05:03:43).”
CNN reported that the death toll from the earthquakes that jolted Turkey and Syria has risen to 20,783, citing authorities. The total number of injured people in Syria and Turkey has reached 75592. A three-month state of emergency to speed up rescue and aid efforts in Turkey’s earthquake-hit provinces came into effect on Thursday after the approval of lawmakers, Anadolu Agency reported On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the three-month state of emergency to speed up search and rescue efforts in the quake-hit provinces, as per the news report. Thousands of buildings collapsed in both countries and aid agencies are particularly worried about northwestern Syria, where more than 4 million people were already relying on humanitarian assistance.
world Bank to provide $ 1.78 bn to Turkey for recovery efforts
WASHINGTON: The World Bank has announced providing USD 1.78 billion in assistance to Turkey to help with relief and recovery efforts after devastating earthquakes in Turkey and neighbouring Syria. The death toll following the earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday has risen to 21,051, CNN reported citing authorities. At least 78,124 people in Syria and Turkey were injured after the quakes, CNN cited the figures from the Turkish government, the White Helmets and Syrian state media. The World Bank in a press release said that it has started a rapid damage assessment to estimate the magnitude of the disaster and identify priority areas for recovery and reconstruction support, based on its extensive experience in disaster risk management from around the world. “The World Bank announced today $1.78 billion in assistance to help relief and recovery efforts following devastating earthquakes and aftershocks in Turkiye that have already resulted in massive loss of life, injuries, and very significant damages in and around southeastern Turkiye.”
WHO DIRECTOR GENERAL Tedros departs for quake-hit Syria
GENEVA: World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has departed for Syria after the devastating earthquakes on Monday that claimed over 21,000 lives in Turkey and Syria. Taking to his official Twitter handle, he informed about his visit and stated that WHO has been supporting essential health care in earthquake-affected regions. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted, “On my way to #Syria, where @WHO is supporting essential health care in the areas affected by the recent earthquake, building on our long-standing work across the country. Earlier on February 8, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus held a meeting with Syria’s permanent representative to the UN office at Geneva to discuss the immediate health needs of people impacted by the earthquake and essential care for all the people of Syria suffering due to the conflict. The death toll in Turkey has reached 17,674. A total of 72,879 people have been injured due to the earthquake, CNN cited Turkey’s Vice Prez Fuat Oktay.
U.S $ 85 mn aid for quake-hit Turkey, Syria
WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday announced providing USD 85 million humanitarian assistance to those impacted by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said in a statement.
The new aid announced by the US is supporting USAID humanitarian partners to deliver aid to people in Turkey and Syria after two earthquakes jolted the two nations on Monday. “The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will provide USD 85 million in urgent humanitarian assistance as the Agency continues to lead the U.S. government response to the worst earthquake to hit the region in nearly a century,” USAID said in a statement.
“This new funding is supporting USAID’s humanitarian partners to deliver urgently-needed aid for millions of people in Turkiye and in Syria,” it further said.
According to the statement, the aid includes providing emergency food and shelter for refugees and newly displaced people, winter supplies to help people brave the cold, trauma support, clean drinking water, hygiene and sanitation assistance.
According to the statement, the US government after the earthquakes rapidly mobilized to assist the Turkey government and humanitarian partners in Syria. The US has deployed the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which is made up of nearly 200 people.
DART includes disaster experts from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, 159 search and rescue members and 12 canines. The DART is currently operating out of Adiyaman, Adana, and Ankara.
The death toll from the earthquakes that jolted Turkey and Syria has risen to 21,051, CNN reported citing authorities. The total number of injured people in Syria and Turkey has reached 78,124. The total number of fatalities in Turkey has risen to at least 17,674. A total of 72,879 people have been injured due to the earthquake, CNN cited Turkey’s Vice President Fuat Oktay.