EU provides humanitarian aid to Syria and Turkey earthquake survivors

EU aid

Millions of euros have been allocated to assist those affected by the earthquakes

The European Union (EU) has organised humanitarian aid and assistance worth millions of euros for those affected by the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey in February.

Syria

As part of an EU humanitarian air bridge for Syria, two planes with emergency aid landed in Damascus. It included winterised tents, shelter equipment and heaters.

These flights are part of a series, transporting assistance from the EU’s humanitarian stockpiles in Brindisi, Italy, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Syrian people in government- and non-government-controlled areas, thanks to the European Humanitarian Response Capacity.

In total, the EU humanitarian air bridge for Syria will deliver 420 tonnes of assistance, including 225 tonnes from the EU, worth over €1.1 million.

Fifteen European countries have also offered in-kind assistance to Syria, including donations such as tents, hygiene parcels, medical supplies, food and more.

An EU civil protection team is in Beirut, Lebanon, coordinating the delivery of the assistance to Syria, and EU humanitarian experts are also present in Syria, working with partners to ensure the aid reaches the most vulnerable.

So far, the EU has responded to the earthquake with €10 million of humanitarian assistance, including €3.9 million in new funds and more than €6 million repurposed through ongoing humanitarian projects.

Turkey

More than 1,650 rescuers and 110 search dogs were deployed via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to support search and rescue operations in Turkey.

Five medical teams from Albania, Belgium, France, Italy and Spain are still operating on the ground and have treated more than 4,000 people. Twenty EU member states have also offered shelter items, medical equipment, food and clothes via the Mechanism.

The EU has allocated approximately €5.7 million for humanitarian assistance.

The European Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU are also going to host a Donors’ Conference, in coordination with Turkish authorities, in March in Brussels. The goal is to mobilise funds from the international community to support the people of Turkey and Syria.