US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced today that Turkey will provide an additional $100 million in aid to those affected by the earthquake, which killed about 45,000 people in the country and neighboring Syria.
Blinken, who traveled to Turkey to show US support for his NATO ally, arrived from Munich, Germany, where he attended a security conference, at Incirlik Air Base in the country’s southeast.
It is from this base, where about 1,500 American soldiers are stationed, that part of the humanitarian aid, mainly American, is sent to the zones affected by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6.
It was here that Anthony Blinken took off to make a helicopter flight over the affected province of Hatay (southeast).
The earthquake is the biggest disaster in modern Turkey and, at last count, 40,689 people died in one country alone.
It will take a huge effort to restore
“When we see the extent of the damage, the number of buildings, the number of apartments, the number of houses destroyed, it will take a huge effort to restore, and we are determined to support these efforts,” Blinken said.
“We are adding $100 million to come and help those who desperately need it,” he said.
The US Secretary of State is expected to meet with military and other officials coordinating US aid.
This afternoon, Turkish authorities announced the end of the search, with the exception of two provinces where the chances of finding survivors remain low: in Kahramanmarash, where it was the epicenter, and in Hatay, where a US diplomat was able to see the extent of the destruction. .
The day after the earthquake, the United States sent several search and rescue teams, about 200 people, to Turkey and provided an initial tranche of $85 million in humanitarian aid.
They also deployed Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters to transport supplies.
The United Nations has asked for international help to raise one billion dollars for Turkey.
Blinken will leave for Ankara in the evening, where tomorrow he will meet, among other things, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Source: Kathimerini
Anna White is a journalist at 247 News Reel, where she writes on world news and current events. She is known for her insightful analysis and compelling storytelling. Anna’s articles have been widely read and shared, earning her a reputation as a talented and respected journalist. She delivers in-depth and accurate understanding of the world’s most pressing issues.