After the devastating earthquake, the federal government sent more experts and relief supplies to Turkey and Syria. Medical professionals, engineers and winter-proof family tents must help those affected on site.
The federal government’s humanitarian aid continues its commitment to people in disaster areas in Turkey and Syria, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) announced on Thursday.
Four additional medical professionals from the Swiss humanitarian aid unit were flown to Hatay in Turkey on Monday. They will be used in a county hospital that primarily cares for children and their mothers, the EDA wrote.
These health professionals reinforce the surgical team that has been on site for ten days. It had replaced the 87 specialists of the Swiss rescue chain and the eight dogs involved in the search and rescue operations, which have since ended.
Winter ready tents
Two weeks after the violent earthquake, the need for aid in the affected areas was enormous. 100 winterproof family tents and 10 multifunctional tents will be brought to the affected regions. This material is in addition to the 300 tents already sent to Turkey last week.
In addition, 2,000 hygiene kits are currently being distributed in and around the city of Kahramanmaras. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (Deza) also handles the transport of several tons of winter equipment donated by a Swiss retailer, including tents, sleeping bags and winter clothing.
Two engineers help in Syria
Major aid is also needed in Syria, where an SDC team was deployed last week to map out the humanitarian situation. According to the EDA, two engineers and two disaster experts will leave for Aleppo at the end of this week.
Their main task is to work with the United Nations and local authorities to determine whether the remaining buildings are habitable. This is to ensure that the population only returns to safe apartments and houses. In addition, preparations are being made for the fastest possible delivery of 300 winter-resistant tents to the northwest of the Syrian earthquake zone.
Switzerland has already released about 8 million francs to support earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. This amount includes in particular an amount of CHF 3 million for Syria. With this, the Deza responded to the call for help from the United Nations. The UN estimates the aid needed for Turkey at $1 billion and for Syria at $400 million. (rbu/sda)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
