Image: APA/AFP/FDFA/Fichter
It’s a desperate fight against time: More than 100 hours after the devastating earthquake in the Turkish-Syrian border area, which has now killed more than 22,000 people, the rescue teams are still discovering survivors under the collapsed houses. Although the time for miracles is gradually running out, the around 7,000 helpers from 61 countries are not giving up.
- OÖN TV: Rescue squad: Austria’s army in Turkey
“We will continue until we are sure that there are no survivors left,” said a spokesman for the emergency services. And indeed yesterday there were more reports of almost unbelievable rescues. In southeast Turkey, helpers were able to rescue a ten-month-old baby alive with his mother – the two had endured 90 hours under the rubble. A family of six survived more than 100 hours in a cavity in the city of Iskenderun. The rescue work is made more difficult by the icy weather, which also threatens the survivors, who have to hold out in makeshift shelters or even outdoors.
Everything is needed now
In order to help those who survived, at least with the bare essentials, more and more international aid is rolling in. The World Bank pledged $1.78 billion to Turkey. The US announced an initial $85 million aid package for Turkey and Syria. The people in the disaster areas now need everything.
- ZIB 1: After the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, aid operations are in full swing. But in Syria there is a lack of the necessary equipment and also of the helpers.
But the aid can only focus on Turkey. The people of civil war-torn Syria must continue to wait. The groceries are gradually running out. “In north-west Syria alone, there are 4.1 million people who need help,” said Andreas Knapp, Secretary General for International Programs at Caritas Austria, describing the dramatic situation.
Meanwhile, President Erdogan declared a state of emergency for three months. He once again promised quick help and reconstruction in just a year. But in Turkey, criticism of the government’s disaster management is growing.
“Where is the state?” ask more and more desperate people. The opposition accuses the government of disregarding earthquake warnings. In Syria, on the other hand, dictator Assad is trying to present himself as a rescuer: he and his wife Asma visited victims of the earthquake in Aleppo.
Source: Nachrichten
