Switzerland is sending 80 specialists and search dogs to help
Thousands of people have died in severe earthquakes in the Turkish-Syrian border region. Help is offered worldwide – also from Switzerland.
Earthquakes have caused serious damage in the Turkish-Syrian border region. Hundreds of people lost their lives.
Video: Tamedia
Switzerland wants after the severe earthquake send 80 people to Turkey for disaster relief on Monday evening, including specialists from the Swiss army for engineering and rescue. The Redog association for search and rescue dogs is also planning to take part in the rescue operations with several teams.
The Agency for Development and Cooperation (Deza) sent an advance detachment to help in the earthquake areas in Turkey and Syria on Monday afternoon. It consists of ten specialists who clarify the needs on site.
Experts and search dogs are getting ready for their mission in southern Turkey at Zurich Airport. (February 6, 2023)
Photo: Michael Buholzer (Keystone)
This detachment consists primarily of members of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA). Three SHA experts are already in Turkey supporting the Turkish Interior Ministry’s National Authority for Disaster and Emergency Management.
The Deza is also preparing humanitarian support for those affected in Syria, as the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) announced on Monday evening. The federal government clarified the needs of the population.
Search dog teams also on their way to the earthquake area
In the evening, around 80 experts from the rescue chain and eight search dogs fly to the Gazianthep area in southern Turkey. The rescue team also includes specialists from the Army’s military disaster relief team. She is responding to a request for help from the Turkish authorities. The disaster happened in the middle of winter, with freezing temperatures and a lot of snow in the region.
Around 80 experts and eight search dogs travel to the earthquake area in southern Turkey on Monday evening. (February 6, 2023)
Photo: Michael Buholzer (Keystone)
The aid organization Caritas announced that it was in contact with the local partner organizations. In addition to relief supplies, Caritas has already promised financial help. The measures focus on Syria, where Caritas is already on site in Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Idlib.
The nine employees support the local partners in emergency aid programs. First and foremost, it is about the distribution of essential goods such as medicines and clean water as well as blankets, tarpaulins and hygiene items. In addition, Caritas helps with the rubble clearance.
Swiss Solidarity launched an appeal for donations. It is in close contact with its Swiss partner organizations, which have been active in the vicinity of the earthquake area for years.
Also affected in Switzerland
President Alain Berset and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis previously tweeted that Switzerland was ready to provide emergency aid after the severe earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
“Our thoughts are with the people of Turkey and Syria who have been affected by the tragic earthquake. We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and wish everyone who was injured a speedy recovery,” Berset tweeted.
For his part, Foreign Minister Cassis stated on Twitter that he had expressed Switzerland’s sincere condolences to his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu after the terrible earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Switzerland is on Turkey’s side and is offering humanitarian aid.
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) currently has no information about Swiss victims, as the FDFA informed the Keystone-SDA news agency on request. Investigations are in progress. The Swiss representations in Ankara and Istanbul are in contact with the responsible authorities on site. Swiss nationals on site are required to follow the instructions of the local authorities.
SDA/sep
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