World powers rush to offer Turkey, Syria aid over quake

World powers rush to offer Turkey, Syria aid over quake / Photo: ILYAS AKENGIN - AFP

International offers to help Turkey and Syria with rescue efforts poured in on Monday after a massive earthquake killed more than 1,200 people and wreaked devastation.

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- European Union -

The European Union said it was sending rescue teams to Turkey after the stricken country requested EU assistance.

"Teams from the Netherlands and Romania are already on their way," EU crisis management commissioner Janez Lenarcic tweeted, adding the bloc's Civil Protection Mechanism had been activated.

- France -

President Emmanuel Macron said France stood ready to provide emergency aid to Turkey and Syria. "Our thoughts are with the bereaved families," he tweeted.

- Britain -

"The UK stands ready to help in whatever way we can," British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted, saying his thoughts were with the people of Turkey and Syria.

- Russia -

President Vladimir Putin sent messages to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan, conveying Russia's condolences and offering aid.

"We hope for a speedy recovery for all the injured and are ready to provide the assistance needed to overcome the impact of this natural disaster," Putin told Assad.

- Ukraine -

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his war-torn country was "ready to provide the necessary assistance to overcome the consequences of the disaster."

The message was reiterated by Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who said Ukraine was "deeply saddened by the loss of life and damage" wreaked by the earthquake.

- Spain -

Spain is sending drones and a contingent from its Emergency Military Unit, a branch of the armed forces responsible for providing disaster relief, to Turkey, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said in a tweet.

- Iran -

Iran is ready to provide "immediate relief aid to these two friendly nations", President Ebrahim Raisi said, offering condolences on the "heartbreaking incident".

- Poland -

Poland is sending to Turkey a search and rescue group of 76 firemen and eight rescue dogs, Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski announced.

"Turkey can count on Poland," Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki tweeted.

- Czech Republic -

The Czech fire service said it was sending a 68-member urban search and rescue team to Turkey.

- Switzerland -

Swiss President Alain Berset said the country stood ready to provide emergency relief after the "tragic" incident.

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R.Bernasconi--NZN