Arab countries rushed to raise funds and send aid to Turkey after devastating earthquakes that killed at least 20,000 people and injured more than 80,000.
Qatar
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has donated $14 million to earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, Qatar News Agency reported Friday.
Al Thani donated money to the OunSaand campaign organized by the Qatari TV channel.
The campaign raised about $19 million.
Two strong earthquakes that hit southern Turkey on Monday raised the death toll to 20,213 and injured 80,052, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Friday.
Earthquakes measuring 7.7 and 7.6 in Kahramanmaras province affected more than 13 million people in 10 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye and Sanliurfa.
Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, also felt the aftershocks that hit Turkey in less than 10 hours.
Several Arab countries have provided vital assistance to rescue teams and humanitarian aid in earthquake relief operations in Turkey and Syria.
More than 20,213 people have died and 80,052 people have been injured in two major earthquakes that hit southern Turkey on Monday, according to the latest official figures.
In neighboring Syria, the death toll exceeded 3,300 people, more than 5,200 people were injured.
Saudi Arabia
Three Saudi planes carrying rescuers, ambulances, volunteers and more than 200 tons of humanitarian aid and medical supplies arrived in the city of Adana in southern Turkey, according to a Saudi press agency.
More than 569,000 people donated in the Saudi fundraiser, raising more than 192 million riyals ($51.2 million) for earthquake victims, according to data from the Saudi government’s Sahem Platform.
UAE
As of Thursday, the United Arab Emirates sent 22 aircraft – 15 to Turkey and seven to Syria – with 640 tons of humanitarian aid, several search and rescue teams and a fully equipped mobile field hospital.
At the behest of President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, special prayers were held at mosques on Friday for the victims of the devastating earthquakes.
Al Ansari Exchange, a leading forex firm, has announced a donation of 3.67 million dirhams ($1 million) for earthquake relief efforts.
Kuwait
According to the official news agency KUNA, the Kuwaiti cabinet has allocated $30 million for aid in Turkey and Syria.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Social Affairs held a meeting with representatives of various charitable organizations to coordinate relief operations.
The report said Namaa charity distributed 8,000 meals and more than 3,000 blankets to people in the disaster area.
Bahrain
On Friday, mosques in Bahrain held special prayers for the victims of the earthquake, according to the official news agency BNA.
The campaign to collect donations also started in the country on Thursday.
Oman
Rescue teams and humanitarian aid from Oman arrived in Adana on Thursday and began work in Hatay province, according to the Omani Civil Defense Authority.
Iraq
The Iraqi government on Thursday said it was sending two planes carrying emergency supplies and medical supplies to earthquake victims in Turkey.
Palestine
On Thursday, a Palestinian team of 73 arrived in Turkey and Syria to help with the ongoing earthquake relief efforts.
The Palestinian government has also launched a relief campaign, with the Ministry of Religious Endowments starting a collection by donating $100,000.
In the Gaza Strip on Thursday evening, dozens of people held a memorial service in memory of the victims of the earthquake.
Libya
Moulay Gedidi, head of the Tuareg Public Council, urged people to donate and help earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria “through designated channels.”
Mauritania
President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani on Thursday instructed the government to organize urgent support for Turkey and Syria.
The National Association for Reform and Development also called on benefactors to “stretch a helping hand to the Turkish and Syrian peoples.”
Sudan
The Sudanese army announced on Friday that it had sent a plane with rescue teams and emergency supplies to Turkey.
Over the past two days, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia and Egypt have announced the dispatch of humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.
