Iraq remarkably aids quake victims in Türkiye, Syria

By Ibrahim Al-Khazen

BAGHDAD (AA) – Iraq has recorded a remarkable presence in providing relief aid to Türkiye and Syria following the Feb. 6 earthquakes that killed thousands in the two countries.

According to data compiled by Anadolu, the Iraqi government dispatched more than 26 planes loaded with humanitarian aid to the quake victims in Türkiye. Baghdad also sent 24 aid planes to quake-hit Syria.

In all, Iraq has sent more than 140 tons of humanitarian aid to the quake victims in the two countries.

Aid sent to Türkiye included 20 tons of medical and first aid materials, more than 8,000 blankets and 250 tents.

The Imam Hussain’s Holy Shrine also sent a convoy of aid and relief materials to Syria to meet the needs of the earthquake victims.

Government institutions also contributed to the aid campaign, where 1,500 tons of foodstuffs and one million litres of fuel were sent by land to neighboring Syria.

Mahmut Akgun Tiryaki, the representative of the Turkish Red Crescent in Iraq, said the Iraqi authorities have so far dispatched 56 aid trucks to quake-hit Türkiye.

A group of Iraqi Turkmens also traveled to the Turkish city of Malatya where they set up a mobile kitchen to prepare 6,000 hot meals daily for the quake victims.

Moreover, Turkmen volunteers have distributed clothes and shoes for those affected by the earthquakes, in addition to providing between 300 and 500 prefabricated homes.

Since the earthquake disaster, 16 Arab countries have officially announced the establishment of air bridges and the provision of urgent relief and medical aid to support Türkiye and Syria.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report